Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Town Marshal

John Lee Newkirk

Judson Marshal's Office — Judson, IN

Felonious

End of Watch May 23, 1896

Age 35

Tour of Duty 4 mo

The Vigil Panel 13 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Town Marshal John Newkirk was shot and killed on one of the town's streets while attempting to arrest two men for being drunk and disorderly. When the two found out Marshal Newkirk was looking for them, they armed themselves with shotguns. When they saw Marshal Newkirk walking toward them on a local street one shot and killed him. The men then fled the scene but was arrested later in the night. Both accused the other of the shooting.

Both suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years.

Marshal Newkirk had only served with the Judson Marshal's Office for four months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and one child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IN-DA955F72
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

130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Newkirk served with the Judson Marshal's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Judson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Judson Marshal's Office

Location Judson, IN

Platform Identity jmarshal.parke.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 23, 1896

Tour of Duty 4 mo

Age 35

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Sentenced to 25 years

Town Marshal John Lee Newkirk 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 IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Judson Marshal's Office

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Lee Newkirk's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How John Lee Newkirk Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

0.3

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 25 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Lee Newkirk is highlighted in May.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Lee Newkirk was killed by shotgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518