Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Roy Bassett was shot and killed while assisting a Missouri Highway Patrol trooper investigate a minor traffic accident on U.S. 63, south of Vienna. As the trooper began to interview one of the drivers he became suspicious and requested backup. When Sheriff Bassett arrived he was asked to watch the driver and passenger as the trooper searched the vehicle. The driver suddenly opened fire on Sheriff Bassett, striking him several times. At the same time, the passenger lunged at the trooper in an effort to disarm him. The trooper drew his weapon and shot the man, wounding him. The trooper and the driver then exchanged shots until the driver was fatally wounded. Sheriff Bassett was flown to Phelps County Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds while undergoing surgery. Sheriff Bassett was a US Air Force veteran and had served as sheriff for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-95005B38- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Roy. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Roy is one person.
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Bassett gave the Maries County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Vienna community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Roy Luke Bassett served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Sheriff Roy Luke Bassett is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 63.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Roy Luke Bassett's cause is highlighted.
How Roy Luke Bassett Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roy Luke Bassett is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roy Luke Bassett was killed by gun.
Military Service
Roy Luke Bassett served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit Roy Luke Bassett’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Maries County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.