Roll of Honor
Joseph B. Waldrupe
Incident
Correctional Officer Joseph Waldrupe succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained several days earlier during an attack by inmates while supervising a crew building the new United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. One of the inmates had located a gun hidden by a former inmate and fired at the guard box containing Officer Waldrupe. Officer Waldrupe was able to return fire, killing the suspect, but was struck by one last round fired by the man. Although critically wounded, Officer Waldrupe fought off several other inmates who were attempted to gain control to the guard box. Officer Waldrupe had served with the Federal Bureau of Prison for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-E1541281- 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.
Correctional Officer Waldrupe gave the United States Department of Justice 1 year.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Waldrupe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Correctional Officer Joseph B. Waldrupe 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons, 26 of 34 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph B. Waldrupe's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph B. Waldrupe Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph B. Waldrupe is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph B. Waldrupe was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
33 officers from United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
