Roll of Honor
Woodrow Wilson Whetstone
Incident
Chief Woodrow Whetstone was shot and killed when two parties in a domestic disturbance arrived at his house looking for assistance. The woman's former boyfriend had confronted a woman and her boyfriend, and they went to Chief Whetstone's home while he was there on his lunch break. While at the scene, the man arrived and shot and killed both Chief Whetstone and the boyfriend, 54, as the Chief tried to calm the man. He then shot and wounded the woman, 42. On February 15, 1961, the 45-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life. He received an additional 10 years for shooting the woman. Chief Whetstone had served with the Junction City Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-A9364458- 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.
Chief of Police Whetstone gave the Junction City Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Junction City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Whetstone.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Woodrow Wilson Whetstone 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 OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 4.2 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. Woodrow Wilson Whetstone's cause is highlighted.
How Woodrow Wilson Whetstone Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Woodrow Wilson Whetstone is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Woodrow Wilson Whetstone was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.