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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Frank Keller was killed after being struck in the head with a pick ax.
He was supervising a chain gang working in a quarry approximately one mile north of the zoo on Grant Avenue. The prisoner struck him in the back of the head with the pick ax and then stole his revolver. Before the prisoner could escape a second deputy shot him with bird shot, wounding him.
Deputy Keller was taken to his home where he died from his injuries that evening.
The subject who murdered him was sentenced to 99 years. He was later moved to an asylum and then pardoned by the governor.
Deputy Keller was survived by his wife and daughter.
Survivors
Deputy Keller was survived by his wife and daughter.
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
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Keller served with the Greene County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greene County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1895, 1 officer at Greene County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 3.
In 1895, 1 officer in MO was killed feloniously, the 106th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1895, 74 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1895, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 41. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Greene County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 40.5 and 46; the middle age was 42.
John was 41. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
John was 41. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 28.6% of these deaths at Greene County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 42.9%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
July holds 8.3% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Tuesdays: 14.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 10 deaths at Greene County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; pick ax, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; pick ax, in 0.2% 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 edged weapon; pick ax, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; pick ax, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Greene County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Jacob H. Baughman
Jul 21, 1871
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John Henry Keller
Jul 9, 1895
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Charles J. Kinser
May 15, 1925
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Oliver Rufus Crosswhite
Jan 2, 1932
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Marcell C. Hendrix
Jan 2, 1932
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Wiley M. Mashburn
Jan 2, 1932
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Jerry Lee Inman
May 25, 1968
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Gary D. McCormack
Oct 6, 2007
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Aaron Paul Roberts
Sep 7, 2018
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Dwight Eugene Willis
Nov 22, 2020
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Greene County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
