Roll of Honor
Josiah M. Woodruff
Incident
Location: Iowa Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Death sentenced commuted
Special Agent Josiah Woodruff and Deputy Provost Marshal John Bashore were shot and killed while attempting to serve arrest warrants on several Civil War draft dodgers in Poweshiek County, Iowa.
The two agents had encountered a man on the roadway and informed him they were looking for the deserters. The man informed them he would help locate them, but was a sympathizer to a group known as the Copperheads. The subjects named on the warrant had threatened violence towards any officers who attempted to arrest them. When the man separated from the agents, he immediately informed the subjects the officers were looking for them and vowed he would help them resist the agents.
The subjects located the agents and opened fire on them, killing Special Agent Woodruff and fatally wounding Marshal Bashore. Despite his wounds, Marshal Bashore was able to return fire and wounded one of the men. Marshal Bashore succumbed to his wounds several hours later. The wounded man was convicted of both murders in 1867 and subsequently sentenced to death, however, he late received clemency from President Andrew Johnson.
Special Agent Woodruff is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville, Iowa.
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- 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.
Special Agent Woodruff served with the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Josiah M. Woodruff served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Special Agent Josiah M. Woodruff 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, 11 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Josiah M. Woodruff's cause is highlighted.
How Josiah M. Woodruff Compares
Offender Outcome
Death sentenced commuted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Josiah M. Woodruff is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Josiah M. Woodruff was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from United States Army Criminal Investigation Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
