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Incident
Marshal Abner Whitney was shot and killed after he and several other officers surrounded a house where two robbery suspects were hiding. When the officers entered the house the suspects opened fire, killing Marshal Whitney. One of the suspects was shot and killed by other officers and the second suspect was lynched by a mob.
Marshal Whitney had been with the agency for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother.
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
132 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Whitney gave the Missouri Valley Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Missouri Valley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Missouri Valley Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Abner is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Abner is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Abner is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1894, 2 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1894, 70 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 103rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1894, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Abner was 34. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Abner had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Abner was 34. 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. Abner had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Abner was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Abner had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.9% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Saturdays: 22.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Missouri Valley Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Missouri Valley Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Abner among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Missouri Valley Police Department are honored on badge.nw.