Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Sperbeck was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had robbed a citizen earlier in the day. A posse of officers and citizens located the suspect and arrested him. The suspect was convicted of murder and hanged on September 1, 1916. Officer Sperbeck had been with the agency for 14 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-DA972A91- 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.
Police Officer Sperbeck served with the Marysville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Marysville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Sperbeck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John William Sperbeck 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 Marysville Police Department, 5 of 5 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 William Sperbeck's cause is highlighted.
How John William Sperbeck Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1916
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John William Sperbeck is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John William Sperbeck was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Marysville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
