Incident
Sheriff Roger Wilson and Sergeant Benjamin Booth, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, were shot and killed at the intersection of Highway 40 and Highway 63 following a bank robbery that had occurred in Mexico, Missouri. The officers were stopping cars at the intersection to ask motorists if they had seen the suspect vehicle. They stopped a car unrelated to the robbery when the two occupants exited and opened fire on them. A 17-month investigation by law enforcement officials followed and both suspects were apprehended. Both were convicted of the murders. One was sentenced to life in prison while the other was sentenced to death and subsequently executed on December 18th, 1936. Neither suspect had been involved in original the bank robbery, and it was never determined why they killed Sergeant Booth and Sheriff Wilson. Officer Wilson died just two days after his 43rd birthday. He was survived by his wife, five children, and his mother. He is buried in Nashville Cemetery in Boone County, Missouri.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, and his mother.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MO-0BE3DAE7- Stewardship
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- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Wilson served with the Boone County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Roger Isaac Wilson 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Roger Isaac Wilson's cause is highlighted.
How Roger Isaac Wilson Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roger Isaac Wilson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roger Isaac Wilson was killed by gun; unknown type.