Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal John Reives succumbed to two gunshot wounds received five days earlier while attempted to arrest two suspects. He had observed the suspects commit a burglary and had ordered them out from behind a bush. One suspect opened fire on him, striking him in the hand and in the spine. He was transported to a local hospital where he died five days later. The two suspects were later arrested. The suspect, 19, who shot Marshal Reives was convicted of his murder and sentenced to death. On July 18th, 1921, Governor W. D. Stephens commuted his sentence to life when it was discovered he was age 17 at the time of the murder. California law prohibited the execution of an individual under the age of 18. He had a parole hearing in 1931; the outcome unknown.
Survivors
Marshal Reives was survived by his wife, two children, mother, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-52E04534- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Reives served with the Redding Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Redding community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Reives.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal John W. Reives 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 Redding Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John W. Reives's cause is highlighted.
How John W. Reives Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Reives is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John W. Reives was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Redding Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
