KCPD Memorial Lest We Forget
Honoring the Fallen
Officer
John E. Jacobson
Kansas City, MO Police Dept
EOW: Thursday, August 26, 1897
Age: 27
DOB: 1869, Sweden
Tour of Duty: 3 months
Cause: Gunfire
Weapon: .45 caliber revolver
Incident Location: Jackson CountyLocation: 19th & Forest
Suspect: Apprehended

Officer John Jacobson was walking his foot-beat when he was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men at 19th and Forest.

On August 26, 1897, at 10:45 pm, Officer Jacobson came upon two suspects attempting to burglarize the William McCarty carpentry shop located on the southwest corner of 19th and Forest. As he was placing the suspects under arrest, one of them pulled a .45 caliber revolver and shot Officer Jacobson, one round passing through arm then entering his chest and striking his heart. Officer Jacobson fell to the sidewalk on the south side of 19th Street approximately 30 feet west of the Carpentry shop. Evidence found at the scene supported the theory that two local thieves were responsible for the murder. A $250 reward was offered by the Board of Police Commissioners for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Numerous suspects were arrested but resulted in no prosecutions.

Officer John Jacobson, 27, was born in northern Sweden and moved to the United States when he was 3 years old. He moved to Kansas City from Gothenburg, Nebraska 10 years prior to his death. He served with the Kansas City Police Department since May 15, 1897. He was survived by his half brother, Oscar Tederman. Officer Jacobson worked for Police Commissioner Scarritt for three years as a coachman, for three years as a conductor on the Troost Avenue cable car and was appointed to the police department on May 15th. Interred: Elmwood Cemetery.

Article by Brent Marchant

Kansas City Police Memorial