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Incident
Night Watchman James Basham and City Marshal James Ryan were shot and killed, and another officer was wounded, while attempting to disarm a man at the Hotel Estes, located at South Holden Street and Grover Street, at 8:30 p.m. Night Watchman Basham responded to reports of a man waving a gun at the hotel. He tried to persuade the man to give him his gun or put it away. When Marshal Ryan and another night watchman entered the room, the man became agitated. Marshal Ryan attempted to grab the weapon, and the man fired, striking Marshal Ryan in the stomach and neck. The other night watchman was shot in the thigh. Night Watchman Basham was hit in his side with the bullet passing through his body. He succumbed to his wounds the next day. The hotel porter grabbed a gun and returned fire. When a bullet struck the suspect, he ran upstairs and shot himself. Night Watchman Basham had served with the Warrensburg Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
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.
Night Marshal Basham gave the Warrensburg Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Warrensburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Basham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Warrensburg Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1908, 7 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 47. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 47. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.7% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Mondays: 14.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Warrensburg Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Warrensburg Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Warrensburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
