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Incident
Marshal Pierce was shot and killed when he went to a local saloon to arrest the owner. Marshal Pierce, who was unarmed at the time, was called to a saloon in town after the owner refused to close the bar, which was open past the hours allowed by city ordinance. When Marshal Pierce entered, the suspect drew a weapon and fatally shot him in the head. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder, but was acquitted at trial. Marshal Pierce' term as city marshal was about to expire and this incident occurred on his last day in office.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
142 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Pierce gave the Mitchell Department of Public Safety 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Dakota. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Mitchell Department of Public Safety remembered here.
John is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in SD, 57.8% of the 64 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1884, 2 officers in SD were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 28 years on record. The heaviest was 2011, with 3.
In 1884, 52 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 137th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1884, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 43. Of the 31 killed feloniously in SD whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.5; the middle age was 37. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 43. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.1% of these deaths in SD; September holds the most, 21.6%. Wednesdays: 5.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Mitchell Department of Public Safety. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.8% of all 64 deaths in SD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 10.8% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-E
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