Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Marshal John Rose was shot and killed while he and another marshal questioned a man in connection with a gas station robbery. A citizen had seen the suspect asleep in a car at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Elson Street. When the officers arrived, the car was gone, but they located it a short distance away, driving on Elson Street. They followed it until it stopped at a filling station. As the officers attempted to question the man, he shot Marshal Rose and the other officer before escaping into nearby woods. In 1933, the suspect was sentenced to life in prison for the 1932 murders of Patrolman Ira Evans and Patrolman Leo Gorski, both of the Minneapolis, Minnesota, Police Department. In 1934, the suspect was believed to have gone insane and was transferred to a state hospital. Two years later, he led an escape of 15 inmates and continued to rob banks. On July 8th, 1936, he shot and killed Officer Cal Palmer, of the Enid, Oklahoma, Police Department, after getting drunk in a local bar. Marshal Rose had served in law enforcement for 18 years. Survivors include his wife and six children. He is buried in Maple Hills Cemetery, Kirksville, Missouri. The Barker-Karpis Gang committed violent crimes throughout the American Midwest in the late 1920s and mid-1930s. Members and associates of the gang were responsible for the murders of more than ten law enforcement officers. Please click here to view all the law enforcement officers killed by the Barker-Karpis Gang.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-C6867A8E- 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.
Night Marshal Rose gave the Kirksville Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kirksville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Rose.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Marshal John Wesley Rose 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. John Wesley Rose's cause is highlighted.
How John Wesley Rose Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Wesley Rose is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Wesley Rose was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.