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Incident
Sheriff John Davis was shot in the head in May of 1881 while he and a deputy collector were attempting to arrest a group of men wanted for the murder of a law enforcement officer and other crimes. Sheriff Davis received information about the location of the suspects and picked up the collector on his way to arrest them. When he entered the home where the men were, one of them shot the sheriff just under the eye and seriously wounded the collector before escaping. Sheriff Davis, who went on to become a prominent state politician, survived the shooting and lived with a bullet lodged in his brain for 17 years. There were no apparent effects until 1892 when he began having epileptic seizures. He died in 1898, a week after surgery to remove the bullet.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Davis served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Wayne County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
John is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 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 1898, 5 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1898, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1898, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 42. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
John 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.
John was 42. 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 8.9% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 handgun, in 20.1% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
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