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Incident
City Marshal John Goff was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call at a home one-quarter mile east of Ironton A woman had asked Marshal Goff to assist her retrieving belongings from her home because she was scared of her boyfriend after he threatened her. As Marshal Goff carried clothing from the home the man shot him with a .30-.30 rifle. The woman then ran to a neighbor's home where the man murdered her as well. The man then called the sheriff and surrendered. He later committed suicide in jail by slitting his wrists. Marshal Goff served as chief of the Ironton Police Department and had also been sworn in as a deputy of the Iron County Sheriff's Office.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-MJF8-EN9B-Mearlier record number BO-US-MO-DDBDE1FF- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Goff served with the Ironton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ironton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Goff.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Ironton Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
John is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
John is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1953, 4 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1953, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 76. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
John was 76. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 76. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ironton Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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