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Incident
Sheriff Robert Jones succumbed to gunshot wounds he suffered two days earlier while attempting to arrest an escapee from the Grant County Jail.
The convicted horse thief had been charged with grand larceny in July 1888 and sentenced to two years. As he was waiting to be transferred to the Indiana State Prison North, he escaped on September 20 from the jail. The convict later returned to the county to court a young lady while staying with his father.
Her family, who disapproved of their relationship, informed Sheriff Jones that the convict would be at the home of the girlfriend's sister in Jerome, in Howard County, that evening. Arriving at the residence at 9:00 pm, a deputy remained at the front door as Sheriff Jones proceeded to the rear door and entered the premises.
After both females denied the suspect was there, Sheriff Jones opened a door leading to a bedroom and found him hiding there. The suspect fired two shots from a .38-caliber revolver, seriously wounding Sheriff Jones in the left arm and abdomen. Sheriff Jones, who was unarmed, began striking the suspect with his billy club until the deputy gained entry through the front door, which had been barricaded with a bed and took the suspect into custody. Sheriff Jones survived two days before he died from his wounds.
The suspect was taken to the Indiana State Prison North in Michigan City to avert being lynched by enraged citizens and later sentenced to life in prison, but escaped from confinement in April 1907.
Sheriff Jones had served in office for less than four weeks of his two-year term.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Jones served with the Grant County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Marion community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Grant County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1888, 2 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1888, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1888, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 39. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 39. 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. Robert had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Tuesdays: 15.8%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Grant County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 1.6% 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; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Grant County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Grant County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
