Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Reuben Fenstermaker was shot and killed by a man who had been arrested for horse stealing.
Marshal Fenstermaker was guarding the suspect during his arraignment before the local justice of the peace when he suddenly produced a pistol and shot him. The prisoner escaped but was apprehended several weeks later.
On July 5th, 1868, the subject was awaiting trial for Marshal Fenstermaker's murder when he escaped from the Keosaugua Jail. He was recaptured in southern Missouri on February 11th, 1904, after having evaded capture for 36 years. During the interval, he married and raised a large family, to whom his crime was not known. Having served in the Civil War, he applied for a pension in 1904, using another soldier's name. The name attracted attention, and he was arrested for attempted pension fraud. His true identity was discovered along with the murder he had hidden for most of his life.
On April 4th, 1904, the subject was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. On October 25th, 1904, the man, who was 68 years old and in poor health, was pardoned by Governor Albert B. Cummins.
Marsal Fenstermaker was a Union Civil War veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-56327034- 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.
Town Marshal Fenstermaker served with the Farmington Marshal's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Farmington community. Thank you 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
Reuben Fenstermaker served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Town Marshal Reuben Fenstermaker 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 Farmington Marshal'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. Reuben Fenstermaker's cause is highlighted.
How Reuben Fenstermaker Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended in 1904
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Reuben Fenstermaker is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Reuben Fenstermaker was killed by handgun; pistol.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Farmington Marshal's Office are honored on badge.nw.
