Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Stevens was shot and killed by a large disorderly group. Patrolman Stevens and three other Patrolmen had just arrested two men out of a disorderly crowd. One of the suspects claimed he had been mistreated and the group quickly became enraged. They surrounded the Patrolmen and yelled, "club them" and "shoot them." Patrolman Stevens and the three other Patrolmen were able to escape and started walking their prisoners away. The crowd followed them and as they crossed a bridge over the Bayou Gayoso shots rang out. Patrolman Stevens was shot in the leg and seriously injured. All the Patrolmen were able to escape. Patrolman Stevens was taken to a doctor but died several hours later from his wound.
Patrolman Stevens was shot and killed by a large disorderly group. Patrolman Stevens and three other Patrolmen had just arrested two men out of a disorderly crowd. One of the suspects claimed he had been mistreated and the group quickly became enraged. They surrounded the Patrolmen and yelled, "club them" and "shoot them." Patrolman Stevens and the three other Patrolmen were able to escape and started walking their prisoners away. The crowd followed them and as they crossed a bridge over the Bayou Gayoso shots rang out. Patrolman Stevens was shot in the leg and seriously injured. All the Patrolmen were able to escape. Patrolman Stevens was taken to a doctor but died several hours later from his wound.
Your heroism and service is honored today, the one hundred and forty-third anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.
Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.
Rest In Peace.
Phyllis Loya
Phyllis Loya mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater May 1st, 2009
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
160 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Stevens served with the Memphis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Stevens 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Memphis Police Department, 53 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Stevens's cause is highlighted.
How John Stevens Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Stevens is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Stevens was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
