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Incident
Police Officer John Farris was stabbed to death after catching a subject attempting to break into a grocery store. The subject stabbed Officer Farris 11 times. The suspect fled in an automobile but was arrested after being shot four times in the thigh by officers when he tried to run through their roadblock in nearby Kellogg. The 21-year-old suspect had escaped from Montana State Penitentiary seven days earlier after serving two years of a 10-year sentence for larceny. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. On January 1, 1955, he escaped from the Idaho Penitentiary. He was stopped in a stolen car near Weiser seven weeks later, arrested, and returned to prison. His release date is not known, but he was free on June 7, 1971, the date he married in Montana. Officer Farris had served with the Wallace Police Department for three years and previously served with the Shoshone Cunty Sheriff's Offce.
Survivors
He was survived by his four children.
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.
Police Officer Farris gave the Wallace Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wallace community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Farris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Wallace Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 45 officers killed feloniously in ID, 62.5% of the 72 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, 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 1946, 1 officer in ID was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 33 years on record. The heaviest was 1904, with 3.
In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1946, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 66. Of the 40 killed feloniously in ID whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 48.3; the middle age was 37. John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
John was 66. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 66. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 26.7% of these deaths in ID, more than any other month. Thursdays: 11.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wallace Police Department. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 72 deaths in ID, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 4.4% 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, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Wallace Police Department are honored on badge.nw.