Roll of Honor
John Baptist Bradberry
Incident
Special Agent John Bradberry was shot and killed while assisting a United States Immigration officer in Bowie, Arizona. The immigration officer had spotted several people exiting a freight car from a train that had just arrived in Bowie and requested assistance from Agent Bradberry. The two officers rounded up 11 men and began to question and search them for stolen property. One of the men suddenly pulled out a revolver and opened fire, fatally wounding Agent Bradberry. He exchanged gunfire with the Immigration Officer as he escaped. The suspect was arrested in Redwood, California, two weeks later. He was was convicted of Agent Bradberry's murder and executed in the gas chamber on May 15th, 1936.
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BO-US-RR-80ACE65A- Stewardship
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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Bradberry served with the Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Francisco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Bradberry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent John Baptist Bradberry 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department, 15 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Baptist Bradberry's cause is highlighted.
How John Baptist Bradberry Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1936
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Baptist Bradberry is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Baptist Bradberry was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
