John H. Dillingham served as sheriff of Platte County, Missouri, from 1896 to 1900 and was the first law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in Platte County. He was killed on this spot on August 20, 1900, by Dr. Sterling Price Harrington when Sheriff Dillingham attempted to arrest him for the murders of James Wallace and Mary Wallace, both of whom had been killed by Dr. Harrington earlier that day. Deputy Sheriff Henry Dillingham, Sheriff Dillingham's son, returned Dr. Harrington's gunfire and killed Dr. Harrington on the same spot.