Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer John Adams was shot and killed after responding to a scene where two other officers had been shot. Shortly after 10:00 am two sheriff's deputies were wounded by shotgun blasts while attempting to repossess the suspect's car as payment for a debt. Officers Adams and another officer then hurried to the scene of the double shooting. Officer Adams approached the home where the suspect had barricaded himself, called out to him, and was shot without warning. The suspect plead guilty to murdering Officer Adams and was hanged.
Survivors
Officer Adams was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-5CB5BA27- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Adams served with the Frederick Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Frederick community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Adams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer John H. Adams 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Frederick Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John H. Adams's cause is highlighted.
How John H. Adams Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John H. Adams is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John H. Adams was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Frederick Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
