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Incident
Location: Illinois Incident Date: Tuesday, December 16, 1930 Weapon: Rifle; Machine gun Offender: Two committed suicide
Special Deputy Sheriff Joe Walker was shot and killed while as he and other members of a posse pursued a truck containing fives bank robbery suspects into Edgar County, Illinois.
The subjects had robbed a bank in Clinton, Indiana, and fled toward Dana, Indiana. A posse was formed in Dana and attempted to intercept the vehicle as it drove through town. A pursuit ensued that entered Edgar County, Illinois. During the pursuit the suspects fired a machine gun mounted in the back of a truck, fatally wounding Deputy Walker.
The pursuit ended in a cornfield where two of the subjects committed suicide. A third suspect was wounded the last two remaining suspects were apprehended.
Deputy Walker was transported to a hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he succumbed to his wounds the following day.
Deputy Walker was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Walker was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Sheriff Walker served with the Vermillion County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Newport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Walker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Vermillion County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 4 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 31. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
Joseph was 31. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Joseph was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 10% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 13.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Vermillion County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle; machine gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; machine gun, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; machine gun, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; machine gun, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Vermillion County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vermillion County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
