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Incident
Chief John Sturgus was found shot to death in the rear stairwell of a local drug store. He had been shot in the chest with his own weapon by an unknown assailant. The case was never solved and no motive was ever determined. Chief Sturgus had served as the Anchorage police chief since the city became a municipality on January 1, 1921. He had previously served as a law enforcement officer in the states of Washington and Montana.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Sturgus served with the Anchorage Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Anchorage community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Sturgus.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Anchorage Police Department has lost 10 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 35 officers killed feloniously in AK, 70% of the 50 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1921, 1 officer at Anchorage Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 1 officer in AK was killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1974, with 2.
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.
Who
John was 60. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Anchorage Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 43; the middle age was 39.
John was 60. Of the 34 killed feloniously in AK whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41.8; the middle age was 34.5.
John was 60. 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 60. 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 11.1% of these deaths at Anchorage Police Department; January holds the most, 22.2%. Sundays: 11.1%.
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in AK; January holds the most, 17.1%. Sundays: 11.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90% of all 10 deaths at Anchorage Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 50 deaths in AK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.7% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Anchorage Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, John among them.
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John J. Sturgus
Feb 20, 1921
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Harry C. Kavanaugh Jan 3, 1924
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Benjamin Franklin Strong
Jan 4, 1968
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William G. Pfalmer, Jr.
Dec 26, 1970
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Johnathan Paul Flora
Sep 8, 1975
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Harry Edward Kier
Oct 28, 1980
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Harry Biddington Hanson, Jr.
Jul 17, 1986
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Louie Gordon Mizelle
Jun 6, 1989
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Dan Richard Seely
Oct 26, 1996
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Justin Todd Wollam
Jul 9, 2001
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Anchorage Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
