Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman John Sheldon was stabbed to death while walking his beat in Sonora.
At approximately 3:30 am two subjects approached him from behind and stabbed him in the side before stealing his service weapon and fleeing. Despite being mortally wounded, Policeman Sheldon was able to walk to the United States Hotel where he collapsed on the floor.
Both men were arrested in Tuttletown and returned to Sonora to face trial. They were convicted of Policeman Sheldon's murder, sentenced to death, and both executed on August 3, 1855.
It is believed they murdered Policeman Sheldon in retaliation for a shooting in 1851 in which Policeman Sheldon killed a man who was shooting at the city marshal.
Marshal Sheldon had served with the Sonora Police Department for four years.
Rest in peace brother
Carson loveless April 29th, 2024
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
171 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Policeman Sheldon gave the Sonora Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sonora community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman John Sheldon 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Sheldon's cause is highlighted.
How John Sheldon Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1855
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Sheldon is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Sheldon was killed by edged weapon; knife.