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Incident
City Marshal William Sprinkle was shot and killed by a man who was attempting to help a friend escape. Marshal Sprinkle had arrested another subject who was unable to post bail was ordered held at the city jail. As Marshal Sprinkle walked the man to jail a second subject approached and demanded that the prisoner be released. Several prominent citizens exited their offices, armed with revolvers, and ordered the man to drop his gun. The man turned and opened fire, wounding one of the citizens. A running gun battle ensued in which Marshal Sprinkle was fatally wounded. The two men fled and were pursued by a crowd from the main area of town. The man who attempted to free the prisoner was unable to continue to run, due to being wounded in the gun battle, and killed himself before the crowd could overtake him. The other subject was later captured in Campbell, Missouri, and sent to the Stoddard County Jail in Bloomfield, Missouri. He was later abducted from the county jail by a lynch mob and hung just south of Bloomfield.
Survivors
Marshal Sprinkle was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Sprinkle served with the Dexter Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dexter community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Dexter Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1892, 5 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1892, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1892, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 47. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
William was 47. 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.
William was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 8.9% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Mondays: 14.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Dexter Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
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