Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff John Benham was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest.
Sheriff Benham was survived buy his wife and four children. He was a Civil War Veteran having served both sides. Captain Benham deserted the Union Army in 1864 and joined Clardy's Battalion, Missouri Calvary, with the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-E1E951AF- 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
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 Benham served with the St. Francois County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Farmington community. Thank you 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
John B. Benham served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff John B. Benham 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. Francois County Sheriff's Dept., 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John B. Benham's cause is highlighted.
How John B. Benham Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John B. Benham is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John B. Benham was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from St. Francois County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
