Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal George Wells was shot and killed while attempting to arrest nine raftsmen who had come into town and caused a disturbance at a local saloon.
When Marshal Wells located the men, he attempted to arrest them but was shot several times.
All of the men were arrested and charged in connection with the murder. Two were sentenced to life in prison, and the others were convicted of lesser crimes after assisting the prosecution.
Marshal Wells was a Civil War Union veteran and served with the Junction City Police Department for at least five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-B4559544- 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
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Town Marshal Wells gave the Junction City Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Junction City community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
George F. Wells served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Town Marshal George F. Wells 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 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. George F. Wells's cause is highlighted.
How George F. Wells Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George F. Wells is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George F. Wells was killed by gun; unknown type.