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Incident
Police Officer Joseph Scott was shot and killed when three subjects attempted to rob him while he was on patrol on 17th Street near J Street.
Two subjects who shot him was arrested in Napa and charged with murder four years later. There arrest led to the arrest of the third suspect. One suspect was charged and convicted of murder. He died in San Quinton Prison in 1892. It is unclear if the other two were ever charged.
Officer Scott served with the Sacramento Police Department for one year.
A posse of seven state police officers was sent to a saloon to enforce a law prohibiting the wearing of side arms. The posse had arrested one man outside the saloon and when they attempted to enter the saloon a gun battle ensued.
Captain Williams, Private Cherry and Private Daniels were killed instantly. Private Melville died one month later.
A posse of seven state police officers was sent to a saloon to enforce a law prohibiting the wearing of side arms. The posse had arrested one man outside the saloon and when they attempted to enter the saloon a gun battle ensued.
Captain Williams, Private Cherry and Private Daniels were killed instantly. Private Melville died one month later.
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
148 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Scott gave the Sacramento Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Sacramento community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sacramento Police Department has lost 17 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1878, 1 officer at Sacramento Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1963, with 2.
In 1878, 3 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1878, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1878, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 42. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Sacramento Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26.3 and 37.8; the middle age was 28. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Joseph was 42. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 42. 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. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10% of these deaths at Sacramento Police Department; February holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 20%.
December holds 8.2% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.8% of all 17 deaths at Sacramento Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 30% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Sacramento Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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George C. Chapman Apr 28, 1858
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Joseph Scott Dec 7, 1878
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Charles H. Wetzel
Aug 29, 1893
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Frank Auener Lungershausen
Dec 27, 1935
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Frank Fragoso Mello
Jun 30, 1951
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Arnold Z. Gamble
Feb 15, 1963
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Eugene Edgar McKnight
Jul 23, 1963
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Bernard M. Bennett
May 13, 1970
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Andrew Lee Collins
Apr 19, 1972
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Doyle Allen Popovich
Aug 3, 1974
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Rodney Taylor Butts
Oct 15, 1975
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William Henry Warner
Jun 1, 1981
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Michael David Gartrell
Apr 25, 1991
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Emily Jewett Morgenroth
Oct 17, 1997
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William Chandler Bean, Jr.
Feb 9, 1999
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Matthew M Prichard Apr 20, 2008
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Tara Christina O'Sullivan
Jun 19, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Sacramento Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
