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Incident
Guard John Elder was killed when he was attacked and suffocated by three inmates while watching over the Hospital Ward of the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. The inmates escaped but were recaptured a few days later. On May 19th, 1882, two of the inmates were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. One was pardoned in 1892 and the other inmate died in prison in 1896. The third inmate was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 18 years. Guard Elder is buried at the grounds of the Iowa State Penitentiary Cemetery, Lee County, Iowa.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Guard Elder served with the Iowa Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Iowa Department of Corrections has lost 14 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 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 1882, 1 officer at Iowa Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 2.
In 1882, 2 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1882, 45 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1882, 51 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 142nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 73. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Iowa Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 47 and 50; the middle age was 48.
John was 73. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41.
John was 73. 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 73. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 33.3% of these deaths at Iowa Department of Corrections; March holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 16.7%.
April holds 10.9% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Sundays: 10.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 14 deaths at Iowa Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Iowa Department of Corrections has 14 officers remembered here, John among them.
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John Elder Apr 30, 1882
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Robert Hart
Jul 9, 1940
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William Harrison Hollingsworth
Mar 7, 1948
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William Minehart Zimmerman
Oct 1, 1967
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Samuel Reed
Apr 11, 1969
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Joseph Kruse
Jun 8, 1972
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Gerald Raymond Featheringill Feb 18, 1979
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Scott Edward Bryant
May 17, 2004
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Daniel Morris Jones
Jul 27, 2007
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Robert John Vidimos, II
Nov 16, 2020
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Michael Donovan Teachout
Nov 28, 2020
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Robert Levi McFarland
Mar 23, 2021
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Lorena Yanira Schulte
Mar 23, 2021
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Richard William Newkirk
Nov 3, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Iowa Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
