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Incident
Location: Washington Weapon: Blunt object Offender: Convicted of manslaughter
Special Agent John True was killed when he interrupted three men who were breaking into a railroad storage shed in search of tools to free their car, which had become stuck in the mud near South and 2nd Street. The men then dragged his body underneath a nearby bridge at the foot of Pacific Avenue and fled on foot, leaving the car.
The license plate number on the car led police to a residence where two suspects, 17 and 19, were apprehended. The third suspect was apprehended four days later in San Francisco. Two of them were charged with murder, and the third was charged as an accessory to murder.
The suspects admitted they resisted arrest and said that Agent True fell and hit his head on something hard. The investigating detective introduced evidence that he was hit on the head with something hard that caused his death. Both suspects were convicted of manslaughter. One was sentenced to 2.5 to 5 years and the other to 5 to 10 years. Charges were dismissed against the third suspect. He was tried in a different court on an unrelated case of several robberies in Kitsap County and sentenced to 10 to 30 years.
Agent True was survived by his wife, brother, and sister.
Survivors
Agent True was survived by his wife, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Agent True served with the Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the St. Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent True.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 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, 1 officer at Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 4 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
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 39. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 45; the middle age was 39.
John was 39. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
John was 39. 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 was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 16.7% of these deaths at Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department; December holds the most, 33.3%. Fridays: 16.7%.
July holds 13.9% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Fridays: 17.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 2.3% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
WA
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
