Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Joseph English was shot and killed by a man in a local pool hall. The suspect later claimed that he had not meant to shoot Constable English, but rather the part-owner of the pool hall who was standing with Constable English at the time. When the suspect entered the pool hall and took aim with his gun, Constable English reached for his weapon and the suspect then shot Constable English four times (two in the chest, and two in the back as he fell). The suspect fled, but was chased down by civilians from the hall and on the street. The suspect was taken into custody before a riot could break out. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder on November 10, 1936, and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on November 20, 1951.
Survivors
Constable English had been with the agency for 18 months and was survived by his wife and daughter, his mother, brother, half brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-587BE450- 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
You barely got started.
Constable English gave the Wasco Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Wasco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable English.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Joseph E. English 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 Wasco Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph E. English's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph E. English Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1951
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph E. English is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph E. English was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wasco Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
