Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Joseph Scott was shot and killed when three subjects attempted to rob him while he was on patrol on 17th Street near J Street.
Two subjects who shot him was arrested in Napa and charged with murder four years later. There arrest led to the arrest of the third suspect. One suspect was charged and convicted of murder. He died in San Quinton Prison in 1892. It is unclear if the other two were ever charged.
Officer Scott served with the Sacramento Police Department for one year.
A posse of seven state police officers was sent to a saloon to enforce a law prohibiting the wearing of side arms. The posse had arrested one man outside the saloon and when they attempted to enter the saloon a gun battle ensued.
Captain Williams, Private Cherry and Private Daniels were killed instantly. Private Melville died one month later.
A posse of seven state police officers was sent to a saloon to enforce a law prohibiting the wearing of side arms. The posse had arrested one man outside the saloon and when they attempted to enter the saloon a gun battle ensued.
Captain Williams, Private Cherry and Private Daniels were killed instantly. Private Melville died one month later.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-CA-B2D16300- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
148 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Scott gave the Sacramento Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Sacramento community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Joseph Scott 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Sacramento Police Department, 10 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Scott's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Scott Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Scott is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Scott was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Sacramento Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
