Roll of Honor
John W. Whitted
Incident
Location: Missouri Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Executed in 1934
Special Agents John Whitted and Edwin Shane were shot and killed in Bland, Missouri while investigating a string of box car thefts.
Agent Shane had been dispatched to Bland from Kansas City, and Agent Whitted had been dispatched from St. Louis. They began a walking inspection of an arriving train in the early morning hours when they surprised a group of four thieves.
The thieves opened fire on the agents, and both were fatally wounded in the ensuing gun battle. Agent Shane fell to the ground while Agent Whitted's body was recovered from a boxcar after the train arrived in Eldon, Missouri.
The four men were arrested and charged with burglary. One of the four was also convicted of both murders and hanged on June 29, 1934.
Agent Whitted was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Agent Whitted was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Special Agent Whitted served with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island 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 W. Whitted served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Special Agent John W. Whitted 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department, 13 of 13 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. John W. Whitted's cause is highlighted.
How John W. Whitted Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1934
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Whitted is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John W. Whitted was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
