Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Kossow was beaten to death with his own baton after responding to a domestic disturbance call near South 25th Street and West Orchard Avenue. While on the scene a struggle ensued between Officer Kossow and the husband. The suspect was able to gain control of the baton and struck Officer Kossow over the head, knocking him to the ground. After he fell the suspect continued to strike Officer Kossow over the head, killing him. The man fled but was later apprehended without incident. The 41-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was released on January 5, 1912, and died two months later from tuberculosis.
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BO-US-WI-E633D86F- 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
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Kossow gave the Milwaukee Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milwaukee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John Kossow 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 WI, 159 of 317 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50.2% of this state's fallen. That is 4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Milwaukee Police Department, 42 of 69 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Kossow's cause is highlighted.
How John Kossow Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1912
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Kossow is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Kossow was killed by officer's nightstick.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
68 officers from Milwaukee Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
