Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal John Cross was shot and killed at 2330 hours when he stopped to investigate three suspicious men camping out near the outskirts of town. His body was found in a wheat field the following morning at 0500 hours with a .45 caliber gunshot wound to the stomach.
It was later discovered that the three suspects were members of the Martin Gang, wanted for several holdups in Oklahoma. On August 8, 1903, two of the suspects were shot and killed in a gun battle with U.S. Marshals near Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Marshal Cross's badge, gun, and silver watch were found with the killed suspects. The third suspect escaped and remained at large for more than 16 years. He was captured in Booneville, Missouri, in March of 1920.
Marshal Cross was survived by his wife and six children and is buried in Geary Cemetery, Geary, Blaine County, Oklahoma.
Survivors
Marshal Cross was survived by his wife and six children and is buried in Geary Cemetery, Geary, Blaine County, Oklahoma.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-DA8357B6- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Cross served with the Geary Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Geary community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Cross.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal John E. Cross 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 69.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John E. Cross's cause is highlighted.
How John E. Cross Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John E. Cross is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John E. Cross was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Geary Police Department are honored on badge.nw.