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Incident
Guard John Campbell was shot and killed by an inmate with his own revolver.
A 19-year-old inmate refused to obey Guard Campbell's order to work and attacked him with a saw. Before Guard Campbell could use his gun, the inmate was upon him and a terrible struggle took place for possession of the weapon. A moment later the revolver discharged, and Guard Campbell fell to the floor, shot through the head. A prisoner who came to Guard Campbell's aid was shot in the leg and wounded. Another guard arriving on the scene shot and wounded the suspect.
The prisoner who came to Guard Campbell's aid was later pardoned for his actions to assist Guard Campbell. The prisoner who murdered Guard Campbell later died in prison of tuberculosis.
Guard Campbell had served with the New Castle County Workhouse for eight years.
Survivors
HE was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
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.
Guard Campbell gave the New Castle County Workhouse 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Castle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Campbell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New Castle County Workhouse has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 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 1909, 1 officer in DE was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1909, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1909, 103 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 54. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
John was 54. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 54. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8% of these deaths in DE; January holds the most, 16%. Fridays: 24%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at New Castle County Workhouse. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 49% of all 51 deaths in DE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 8% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
New Castle County Workhouse has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Castle County Workhouse are honored on badge.nw.