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Incident
Patrolman John Starnes succumbed to wounds received one week earlier while he was attempting to arrest the occupants of a car who had been joyriding through town and had caused a traffic accident. After locating the vehicle Patrolman Starnes jumped on the running board. He was struck on the head with a crankshaft and knocked to the ground. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries seven days later. All five suspects were eventually taken into custody. All five were charged with manslaughter. All five testified in court that they were so drunk they could not remember what happened. Charges against all five were dismissed.
Survivors
Patrolman Starnes was survived by his son and four daughters.
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.
Patrolman Starnes served with the Leavenworth Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Leavenworth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Starnes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Leavenworth Police Department has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 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 1919, 1 officer at Leavenworth Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1910, with 2.
In 1919, 4 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 66. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Leavenworth Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 51.3; the middle age was 39.
John was 66. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
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 was 66. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 42.9% of these deaths at Leavenworth Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 14.3%.
July holds 11.4% of these deaths in KS, more than any other month. Sundays: 13.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Leavenworth Police Department. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.3% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Leavenworth Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Leavenworth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
