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Incident
Constable Peter Scanlon was killed after being struck in the head with an oar while attempting an arrest. He and other officers were serving a warrant on a man who had beat his wife as well as stolen several shotguns from another man. The suspect had also threatened not to be taken alive. The officers located the man in a boat on the river's shore. When Officer Scanlon jumped in the boat it was inadvertently pushed from shore. He yelled out to the other officers he would have the man row to his cabin a short distance away and to meet them there. When the boat failed to show the other officers ran to the jail to see if they had gone there instead. A search was initiated when it was determined they hadn't arrived at the jail either. Constable Scanlon's body was recovered from the river the following day. An autopsy determined that he had been struck on the side of the head with an oar and died as a result.
Survivors
Constable Scanlon was survived by two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
146 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Scanlon served with the Dubuque County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dubuque community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dubuque County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Peter is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Peter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Peter 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 1880, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1880, 38 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 147th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1880, 39 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
July holds 16.3% of these deaths in IA, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 7.8%.
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 100% of all 2 deaths at Dubuque County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.6% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Dubuque County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Peter among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Dubuque County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
