Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Joseph Kaschmitter was shot and mortally wounded as he was walking near the depot at approximately 2:00 am.
Marshal Kaschmitter encountered two men who covered him with their revolvers and ordered him to throw up his hands. He obeyed and, at the same time, said, "I am the town marshal." At this, both men opened fire, the bullets entering his chest and stomach. As the suspects fled, Marshal Kaschmitter drew his revolver and fired several times.
Citizens attracted to the scene carried Marshal Kaschmitter to the home of a local doctor where he died two days later. A posse failed to locate the suspects.
Marshal Kaschmitter had served with the Alton Marshal's Office for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-F1BDB776- Stewardship
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- 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.
Town Marshal Kaschmitter gave the Alton Marshal's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Alton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Kaschmitter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Joseph Kaschmitter 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Kaschmitter's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Kaschmitter Compares
Offender Outcome
Never identified
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Kaschmitter is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Kaschmitter was killed by handgun; revolver.