Joseph B. Waldrupe
Incident
Correctional Officer Joseph Waldrupe succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained several days earlier during an attack by inmates while supervising a crew building the new United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. One of the inmates had located a gun hidden by a former inmate and fired at the guard box containing Officer Waldrupe. Officer Waldrupe was able to return fire, killing the suspect, but was struck by one last round fired by the man. Although critically wounded, Officer Waldrupe fought off several other inmates who were attempted to gain control to the guard box. Officer Waldrupe had served with the Federal Bureau of Prison for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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
You barely got started.
Correctional Officer Waldrupe gave the United States Department of Justice 1 year.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Waldrupe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons has lost 34 officers; 26 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1901, 1 officer at United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 21 years on record. The heaviest was 1983, with 3.
In 1901, 7 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1901, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1901, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 29. Of the 23 killed feloniously at United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 48; the middle age was 40. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Joseph was 29. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Joseph 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. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 11.5% of these deaths at United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons; October holds the most, 15.4%. Saturdays: 19.2%.
November holds 7.2% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Saturdays: 13%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 76.5% of all 34 deaths at United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 3.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7.4% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons has 34 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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Joseph B. Waldrupe
Nov 16, 1901
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Andrew F. Turner
Mar 26, 1916
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Edgar A. Barr Mar 19, 1917
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James R. Brock
Dec 27, 1917
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Andrew H. Leonard
Nov 14, 1922
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Robert George Warnke
Jun 20, 1929
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Royal C. Cline
May 23, 1938
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Harold P. Stites
May 2, 1946
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William A. Miller
May 3, 1946
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William W. Latimer Oct 15, 1960
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Vern M. Jarvis
Jan 26, 1969
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Wayne Lewis Selle
Jul 31, 1973
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John W. Johnson
Sep 29, 1974
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Donald Fredrick Reis
Feb 28, 1975
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Gregory J. Gunter
Dec 25, 1982
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Gary Lee Rowe
Feb 7, 1983
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Merle Eugene Clutts
Oct 22, 1983
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Robert L. Hoffmann, Sr.
Oct 22, 1983
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Boyd H. Spikerman
Jan 29, 1984
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Robert F. Miller
Oct 12, 1987
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Daniel Januarius Bryer
Mar 29, 1991
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D'Antonio Andrew Washington
Dec 22, 1994
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Alfredo Deon Williams
Jul 30, 1996
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Scott James Williams
Apr 3, 1997
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Jose Rivera
Jun 20, 2008
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Christopher Quinn Cooper
Apr 7, 2011
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Eric Williams
Feb 25, 2013
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Osvaldo Albarati
Feb 26, 2013
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Brandon Elliot Kountz
Mar 31, 2013
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Michael Clifton Baskett
Nov 26, 2013
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Brian J. Feldt
Dec 23, 2013
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Justin Dean Joslyn
Sep 11, 2021
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Marc Alan Fischer
Aug 9, 2024
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Louis Pepe
Nov 24, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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