Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Peter Scanlon was killed after being struck in the head with an oar while attempting an arrest. He and other officers were serving a warrant on a man who had beat his wife as well as stolen several shotguns from another man. The suspect had also threatened not to be taken alive. The officers located the man in a boat on the river's shore. When Officer Scanlon jumped in the boat it was inadvertently pushed from shore. He yelled out to the other officers he would have the man row to his cabin a short distance away and to meet them there. When the boat failed to show the other officers ran to the jail to see if they had gone there instead. A search was initiated when it was determined they hadn't arrived at the jail either. Constable Scanlon's body was recovered from the river the following day. An autopsy determined that he had been struck on the side of the head with an oar and died as a result.
Survivors
Constable Scanlon was survived by two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-8E71A8AA- 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
146 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Scanlon served with the Dubuque County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dubuque community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Peter Scanlon 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Dubuque County Sheriff's Department, 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. Peter Scanlon's cause is highlighted.
How Peter Scanlon Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Peter Scanlon is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Peter Scanlon was killed by blunt object.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Dubuque County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
