Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Sellers was shot and killed when he responded to a disturbance at a the Antlers Bar in Pinole. A patron who was involved in an altercation with another patron pulled a pistol and shot the officer as he intervened. A personal friend with Patrolman Sellers disarmed the suspect and held on to him until police arrived. The suspect was suffering from an inoperable blood clot in his brain that caused anger issues which got worse when he was drinking. The 69-year-old suspect was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed on February 6th, 1973. On May 9, 1974, psychiatrists at Atascadero State Hospital told the judge in his case that he was sane. He only had a problem when he drank alcohol and he was aware of that. They warned the court that if he was released he could kill again if he drank. On May 13, 1975, hospital officials said they could not legally hold him and he was released. There were no other reported problems and he died in 1987. Patrolman Sellers had served with the Pinole Police Department for two years. He is survived by his wife and two children. He was a U.S. Army Captain who served in Vietnam.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-4AC25D3C- 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.
Patrolman Sellers gave the Pinole Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pinole community, and 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
John Mueller Sellers served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman John Mueller Sellers 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pinole Police Department, 3 of 3 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. John Mueller Sellers's cause is highlighted.
How John Mueller Sellers Compares
Offender Outcome
Not guilty by reason of insanity
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Mueller Sellers is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Mueller Sellers was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Pinole Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
