Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Dierker was shot and fatally wounded by a man he attempted to arrest for trying to shoot another man over a dispute about wages. Hours later an angry mob trapped the suspect in the hayloft of a barn. When he appeared at the door at the command of the mob many shots were fired at him, and he ran back into the barn and set it on fire. After he had set the barn on fire he again appeared at the door and held up his hands. Hundreds of bullets greeted him. He fell back into the blazing barn and his body was burned. Sheriff Dierker died about 45 minutes after the suspect was killed. Sheriff Dierker was nearing the second of two four-year terms as sheriff of St. Charles County, he served from 1904 to 1908 and from 1912 until his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife who he had been married to for only six weeks.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-06044A2C- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Dierker gave the St. Charles County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Charles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Dierker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John H. Dierker 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At St. Charles County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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. John H. Dierker's cause is highlighted.
How John H. Dierker Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John H. Dierker is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John H. Dierker was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from St. Charles County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
