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Joseph Burch Loper
Incident
Location: Texas Incident Date: Wednesday, October 20, 1920 Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to life
Special Officer Joseph Loper was shot and killed in Forth Worth, Texas, when a criminal mistook him for a citizen and attempted to rob him at about 8:00 pm.
Officer Loper was walking through the Texas and Pacific Railroad rail yards, between South Main Street and Railroad Avenue, at the time. When the man pulled out a gun, Officer Loper attempted to arrest him but was shot twice. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following morning.
The man who murdered Officer Loper was arrested and sentenced to death. The sentence was later commuted to life.
Officer Loper had served with the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Police Department for two years.
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.
Special Officer Loper gave the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Loper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 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 1920, 16 officers in MO were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 46. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Joseph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 46. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 46. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.9% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 12%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. 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 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
St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
