Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal John Mugan was shot and killed by the city's night watchman during a dispute over their respective duties and the authority of both officers. The night watchman, who was drunk at the time, saw Marshal Mugan standing on Mission Avenue talking with another man. The suspect came out of the saloon and shot Marshal Mugan in the neck after swearing at him. The night watchman was arrested a short time later and charged with Marshal Mugan's murder. The 63-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was paroled on April 23rd, 1923. Marshal Mugan had served with the Oceanside Police Department for over 10 years and had previously served with the San Diego Police Department as a sheriff's deputy in Nevada. He was survived by his three sisters. He is buried in the Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery, Oceanside, California near the Indian Memorial.
Survivors
He was survived by his three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-89327F43- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Mugan gave the Oceanside Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oceanside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Mugan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal John E. Mugan 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 Oceanside Police Department, 4 of 4 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 E. Mugan's cause is highlighted.
How John E. Mugan Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1923
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John E. Mugan is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John E. Mugan was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Oceanside Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
