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Incident
Marshal John Reives succumbed to two gunshot wounds received five days earlier while attempted to arrest two suspects. He had observed the suspects commit a burglary and had ordered them out from behind a bush. One suspect opened fire on him, striking him in the hand and in the spine. He was transported to a local hospital where he died five days later. The two suspects were later arrested. The suspect, 19, who shot Marshal Reives was convicted of his murder and sentenced to death. On July 18th, 1921, Governor W. D. Stephens commuted his sentence to life when it was discovered he was age 17 at the time of the murder. California law prohibited the execution of an individual under the age of 18. He had a parole hearing in 1931; the outcome unknown.
Survivors
Marshal Reives was survived by his wife, two children, mother, and two brothers.
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.
Marshal Reives served with the Redding Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Redding community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Reives.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Redding Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 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 1921, 10 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
When
January holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Redding Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Redding Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Redding Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
