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Incident
City Marshal James Ryan and Night Watchman James Basham were shot and killed, and another officer was wounded, while escorting a man to the Hotel Estes, located at South Holden Street and Grover Street, at 8:30 p.m. Night Watchman Basham responded to reports of a man waving a gun at the hotel. He tried to persuade the man to give him his gun or put it away. When Marshal Ryan and another night watchman entered the room, the man became agitated. Marshal Ryan attempted to grab the weapon, and the man fired, striking Marshal Ryan in the stomach and neck. He died instantly. The other night watchman was shot in the thigh. Night Watchman Basham was hit in his side with the bullet passing through his body. He succumbed to his wounds the next day. The hotel porter grabbed a gun and returned fire. When a bullet struck the suspect, he ran upstairs and shot himself. Marshal Ryan had been elected marshal three years earlier.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
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.
City Marshal Ryan gave the Warrensburg Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Warrensburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Ryan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Warrensburg Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1908, 7 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 48. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 48. 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. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.7% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 16.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Warrensburg Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Warrensburg Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Warrensburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
