Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Joseph Bailey was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two brothers for hog stealing. The suspects robbed the Sheriff of his gun, horse, and money. Two of the suspects escaped, and a third suspect was lynched. A fourth suspect who escaped was later killed in May 1875 when he tried to attack a guard in a Lincoln, Nebraska, prison. Sheriff Bailey had served with the Vernon County Sheriff's Office for one year and previously as a Brigadier General during the Civil War. He was survived by his wife and four children. He is buried in section 3, lot 2 of Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-492D4F34- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Bailey gave the Vernon County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Nevada community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joseph Bailey served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Joseph Bailey is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Vernon County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Bailey's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Bailey Compares
Offender Outcome
At large
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Bailey is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Bailey was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vernon County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
