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Incident
Patrolman Johannes Koch was shot and killed as he and other officers attempted to arrest a bootlegger who had jumped bail. He and his partner approached the subject and his wife as they returned to their car on Camanche Avenue, between 6th Street and 7th Street. The man pulled out a .45 caliber revolver and fired as Patrolman Koch attempted to grab it. Both officers returned fire, wounding the subject and his wife. They were both taken into custody. The man was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to eight years in prison on November 9th, 1926. On April 8, 1928, he was found guilty in a federal court of violating the Dyer Act, ( the transportation of a stolen automobile from one state to another). In his case he was sentenced to serve three years in a federal prison for driving a stolen car from Chicago to Waterloo. He was to be transferred to a federal prison at the conclusion of his first sentence. He was released in August of 1931 and transferred to Leavenworth. Patrolman Koch had served with the Clinton Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 2-year-old son, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Patrolman Koch gave the Clinton Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Clinton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Koch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clinton Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
J. is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
J. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
J. 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 1926, 4 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
J. was 29. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. J. had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
J. was 29. 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. J. had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
J. was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. J. had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 7.8% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Wednesdays: 20.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Clinton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Clinton Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, J. among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Clinton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
