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Incident
Chief of Detectives Tom Johnson and Patrolman Albert Hall were shot to death, and two other officers wounded, in a gunfight with a robbery suspect who had barricaded himself in his home at 7th Street and Sycamore Street. Minutes later the suspect was smoked out of his house and shot and killed by police and servicemen who had joined them. Chief of Detectives Johnson had served with the St. Joseph Police Department for 20 years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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20 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Detectives Johnson gave the St. Joseph Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the St. Joseph community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Detectives Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
St. Joseph Police Department has lost 13 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1921, 2 officers at St. Joseph Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 9 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Thomas was 50. Of the 7 killed feloniously at St. Joseph Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 45.5; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Thomas was 50. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Thomas had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 50. 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. Thomas had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 42.9% of these deaths at St. Joseph Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.3%.
October holds 9.9% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 12%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 53.8% of all 13 deaths at St. Joseph Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 71.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
St. Joseph Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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James H. Killion Jun 14, 1917
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Charles Hensley May 14, 1919
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Albert Marsh Hall
Oct 26, 1921
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Thomas A. Johnson
Oct 27, 1921
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John H. House
Jul 28, 1922
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John F. Less
Oct 22, 1923
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Walter A. Wood
Apr 4, 1926
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Sherman Brooks Winder
Sep 13, 1940
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Alva N. Mead
Mar 18, 1944
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Aloysius L. Wisniewski
Sep 16, 1961
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John William Duty
Sep 15, 1991
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Bradley Thomas Arn
Nov 10, 1998
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Dan D. De Kraai
Sep 15, 2010
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from St. Joseph Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
