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Incident
Night Chief John Daugherty was shot and killed as he and another officer walked a prisoner to jail.
The two officers had just arrested the man on a warrant for selling whiskey. A friend of the man witnessed the arrest and obtained a .44 caliber revolver. The friend followed the officers and prisoner for about half a block, and shot Night Chief Daugherty in the back of the head without warning, killing him instantly.
The subject fled the scene and attempted to escape into Virginia by taking a sailboat. A posse of citizens caught up to him, returned him to Crisfield, and then beat and lynched him.
Night Chief Daugherty was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Night Chief Daugherty was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Night Chief Daugherty served with the Crisfield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Crisfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Chief Daugherty.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Crisfield Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 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 1907, 2 officers in MD were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1907, 109 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 52. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35.
John was 52. 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 52. 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 9.7% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Sundays: 11.8%.
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 75% of all 4 deaths at Crisfield Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .44 caliber, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .44 caliber, in 0.5% 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; .44 caliber, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .44 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Crisfield Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Crisfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
