Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal John Wester was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for drinking in public. As Marshal Wester approached the subject, the man produced a handgun and shot him in the abdomen.
Despite being mortally wounded, Marshal Wester returned fire, fatally striking the suspect in the head.
No passage of time can ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) November 3rd, 2020
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TN-D1A18AAE- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
136 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Wester served with the Kingston Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kingston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal John Marshall Wester, Jr. 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 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 Marshall Wester, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John Marshall Wester, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Marshall Wester, Jr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Marshall Wester, Jr. was killed by handgun.