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John Ledbetter
Agency patch
Patrolman

John Ledbetter

Joplin Police Department — Joplin, MO
Felonious
United States flag Missouri flag
End of Watch June 10, 1903
The Vigil Panel 18 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 20

Incident

Patrolman John Ledbetter was killed by the leader of a disorderly group that he was attempting to disperse while walking his beat on Smelter Hill. When Patrolman Ledbetter attempted to arrest members of the group for refusing to leave, the suspect struck Patrolman Ledbetter over the head with a rock. Patrolman Ledbetter died three days later from his injury. The suspect had never been identified or apprehended, but years later a town resident confessed to the murder while on his deathbed.

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August 2, 2026
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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Ledbetter served with the Joplin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Joplin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ledbetter.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Joplin Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Joplin, Jasper County, MO
Platform Identity jpd.jasper.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 10, 1903
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Blunt object

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1903, 103 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

Joplin Police Department has 21 officers remembered here, John among them.

Across the years
V

Where

Patrolman John Ledbetter

Joplin Police Department · End of Watch June 10, 1903

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W

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