Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable W.J. Mooneyhan was shot and killed at his own home while protecting a prisoner.
The man was arrested by Constable Mooneyhan after a warrant was issued for living with a woman who wasn't his wife. Constable Mooneyhan had rescued the man from an angry mob that had set his house on fire. He then took him to his own home for safekeeping because it was too late to move him to the county jail.
At approximately 11:00 pm someone knocked on Constable Mooneyhan's door. When he answered it he was immediately shot and killed by one of five masked men. The men then entered the home and killed the prisoner before dragging his body into the woods and shooting him multiple times.
All five suspects were jailed for murder. At their trial one was acquitted and charges were dismissed against the other four due to a lack of evidence.
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BO-US-MO-28035192- Stewardship
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- 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.
Constable Mooneyhan served with the Wardell Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wardell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Mooneyhan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable W. J. Mooneyhan 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. W. J. Mooneyhan's cause is highlighted.
How W. J. Mooneyhan Compares
Offender Outcome
Charges dismissed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. J. Mooneyhan is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. J. Mooneyhan was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.