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John H. Cox
Incident
Deputy Game Warden John Cox was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for hunting without a license on a farm in Shawnee County, several miles outside of Topeka. The subject and two friends were hunting on the farm, between Burlingame Road and Topeka Boulevard, approximately two miles south of the Topeka Country Club, when they were confronted by Warden Cox. As Warden Cox demanded to see their hunting licenses, a 19-year-old opened fire on him with a shotgun, killing him. All three were apprehended later that same day. In March of 1917, the suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was denied parole in 1921.
Survivors
Game Warden Cox was survived by his wife, daughter, father, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Game Warden Cox served with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Game Warden Cox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 5 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 47. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
John was 47. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw.
