Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police John Sisemore was shot and killed while investigating a noise in a wooded area of town located at the present-day intersection of W Colorado Avenue and S Trenton Street in Ruston. He had just finished eating with his family and had returned to patrol the town when the incident occurred. The assailants were never identified, although it is believed Chief Sisemore was assassinated as a result of his fight against the local moonshiners. Chief Sisemore had served with the Ruston Police Department for 2 1/2 years and also worked as a Deputy U.S. Marshal.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-64B18671- 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
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Chief of Police Sisemore gave the Ruston Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ruston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police John T. Sisemore 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Ruston Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John T. Sisemore's cause is highlighted.
How John T. Sisemore Compares
Offender Outcome
Never identified
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John T. Sisemore is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John T. Sisemore was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Ruston Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
