Roll of Honor
Incident
Warden John Rheinbold was shot and killed in Rockland County, New York, after tracking a pair of poachers who were illegally shooting songbirds. One of the suspects shot Warden Rheinbold with a shotgun, killing him. The suspected shooter was eventually identified, but had already fled to Italy. Despite requests from President Woodrow Wilson, Italian authorities refused to extradite the suspect because they believed he would be sentenced to death. He was never returned to New Jersey to face the murder charges. Warden Rheinbold had served with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancée, whom he was going to marry the same week he was killed.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-FB607AD1- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Warden Rheinbold gave the New Jersey Divison of Fish and Wildlife 2 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Warden Rheinbold.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Warden John C. Rheinbold is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In NJ, 229 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.4% of this state's fallen. That is 35.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New Jersey Divison of Fish and Wildlife, 2 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John C. Rheinbold's cause is highlighted.
How John C. Rheinbold Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John C. Rheinbold is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John C. Rheinbold was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from New Jersey Divison of Fish and Wildlife are honored on badge.nw.
