Kansas City Police Department, Kansas
End of Watch: Monday, May 13, 1889
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: May 11, 1889
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Detective John Gilley was stabbed to death while sitting in a courtroom attending a hearing for two suspects he had arrested.
One of the suspects was sitting behind Detective Gilley and produced a knife and stabbed Detective Gilley in the back of the neck. Detective Gilley and two other detectives opened fire on the suspect, killing him. Detective Gilley succumbed to his wound two days later.
The second suspect escaped during the turmoil and was never captured.
Detective Gilley was survived by his son, mother, and brother.