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Incident
Night Marshal John Rose was shot and killed while he and another marshal questioned a man in connection with a gas station robbery. A citizen had seen the suspect asleep in a car at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Elson Street. When the officers arrived, the car was gone, but they located it a short distance away, driving on Elson Street. They followed it until it stopped at a filling station. As the officers attempted to question the man, he shot Marshal Rose and the other officer before escaping into nearby woods. In 1933, the suspect was sentenced to life in prison for the 1932 murders of Patrolman Ira Evans and Patrolman Leo Gorski, both of the Minneapolis, Minnesota, Police Department. In 1934, the suspect was believed to have gone insane and was transferred to a state hospital. Two years later, he led an escape of 15 inmates and continued to rob banks. On July 8th, 1936, he shot and killed Officer Cal Palmer, of the Enid, Oklahoma, Police Department, after getting drunk in a local bar. Marshal Rose had served in law enforcement for 18 years. Survivors include his wife and six children. He is buried in Maple Hills Cemetery, Kirksville, Missouri. The Barker-Karpis Gang committed violent crimes throughout the American Midwest in the late 1920s and mid-1930s. Members and associates of the gang were responsible for the murders of more than ten law enforcement officers. Please click here to view all the law enforcement officers killed by the Barker-Karpis Gang.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and six children.
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.
Night Marshal Rose gave the Kirksville Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kirksville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Rose.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Kirksville 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 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 5 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 60. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. John had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 60. 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. John had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Mondays: 14.6%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Kirksville Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 handgun, in 20.1% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Kirksville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.