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Incident
Corrections Officer John Holcomb was killed when he was crushed between a boxcar and a gate while he was attempting to stop an escape. The inmate had jumped into the boxcar as it was being pushed through the front prison gate. Officer Holcomb also attempted to jump into the boxcar but was crushed between it and the prison gate. The inmate gave up the escape attempt when a guard in the tower fired at him after he jumped back out of the boxcar on the outside of the gate. Officer Holcomb as serving as a special duty officer at the prison. He had previously served with the Cass County Sheriff's Office and with the Fargo Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Corrections Officer Holcomb served with the North Dakota State Penitentiary.
Thank you for your service to the Bismarck community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Officer Holcomb.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
North Dakota State Penitentiary has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 15 officers lost to accidents in ND, 24.6% of the 61 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1954, 2 officers in ND were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1966, with 4.
In 1954, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1954, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 64. Of the 14 lost to accidents in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 54.3; the middle age was 45.
John was 64. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
John was 64. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
August holds 6.7% of these deaths in ND; May holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 26.7%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.9%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at North Dakota State Penitentiary, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 24.6% of all 61 deaths in ND, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 6.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.3% of these deaths.
His people
North Dakota State Penitentiary has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from North Dakota State Penitentiary are honored on badge.nw.