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Incident
Deputy Holmes was shot and killed while making his nightly rounds in National, Nevada. He encountered an intoxicated man terrorizing citizens with a rifle. As he attempted to disarm and arrest the man he was shot in the chest.
The Humboldt County Sheriff was notified of the incident the next morning and immediately drove to National and arrested the suspect. He returned the suspect to Winnemucca due to threats of a lynching by the citizens of National.
The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. In July of 1912 he escaped form the Nevada Penitentiary. He was captured in Kingman, Arizona, in January of 1913. He was paroled in 1918. On March 5, 1919, he was killed instantly when he got his arm caught in an engine he was working on.
Deputy Holmes was the only law enforcement officer in the area of National.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Holmes served with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Winnemucca community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Holmes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 82 officers killed feloniously in NV, 56.2% of the 146 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 1910, 1 officer in NV was killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1979, with 4.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
August holds 11% of these deaths in NV; October holds the most, 13.4%. Saturdays: 15.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 56.2% of all 146 deaths in NV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.3% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Humboldt County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
