Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal Edward Masterson was shot and killed after disarming a drunk man who was in violation of the town's ordinance against carrying guns. After taking the gun, Marshal Masterson started walking away, but the man produced another pistol and shot him. Marshal Masterson's brother, who was across the street at the time, returned fire and killed the subject. Marshal Masterson had served with the Dodge City Police Department for a little over one year. He was survived by his parents and brothers. He is buried in an unmarked grave at Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City, Kansas.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-013E333C- 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
148 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Masterson gave the Dodge City Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Dodge City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Edward J. Masterson 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Dodge City Police Department, 4 of 4 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. Edward J. Masterson's cause is highlighted.
How Edward J. Masterson Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward J. Masterson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward J. Masterson was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Dodge City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
