Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Policeman Benjamin Eddleman was shot and killed by a subject whom he had threatened to arrest earlier the day.
The subject had been thrown out of a local saloon after causing a disturbance in which he attacked Policeman Eddleman. The mayor threatened to have the subject arrested if he caused any more trouble in town. The man returned to the saloon where he again located Policeman Eddleman.
The man immediately shot him in the head with a revolver, killing him. The mayor arrested the man a short time later. He was subsequently convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was released on January 1, 1904.
Policeman Eddleman was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Policeman Eddleman was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-808DBD62- 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
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Night Policeman Eddleman served with the Vandalia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Vandalia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Policeman Benjamin Eddleman 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 Vandalia Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Benjamin Eddleman's cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin Eddleman Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1904
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin Eddleman is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin Eddleman was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vandalia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
