Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Gustive Schwake was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call. The suspect, who was under the influence of alcohol, had been quarrelling with his wife, and as the dispute escalated, he attempted to kill her with a knife. As she was fleeing toward a neighbor's house, a passer-by went to summon Marshal Schwake in town. When Marshal Schwake arrived to question the suspect, he was found sitting in his front yard, armed with a shotgun. As Marshal Schwake approached further, the suspect took aim and shot Marshal Schwake in the head and chest, killing him instantly. The suspect went into his residence and then escaped out of the rear door towards a creek. Knowing that a posse was in pursuit, the suspect committed suicide with the same shotgun used to kill Marshal Schwake. Marshal Schwake had served with the North Vernon Police Department for 1½ years.
Marshal Gustive Schwake was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call.
The suspect, who was under the influence of alcohol, had been quarrelling with his wife, and as the dispute escalated, he attempted to kill her with a knife. As she was fleeing toward a neighbor's house, a passer-by went to summon Marshal Schwake in town. When Marshal Schwake arrived to question the suspect, he was found sitting in his front yard, armed with a shotgun. As Marshal Schwake approached further, the suspect took aim and shot Marshal Schwake in the head and chest, killing him instantly.
The suspect went into his residence and then escaped out of the rear door towards a creek. Knowing that a posse was in pursuit, the suspect committed suicide with the same shotgun used to kill Marshal Schwake.
Marshal Schwake had served with the North Vernon Police Department for 1½ years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-1005E10F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Marshal Schwake gave the North Vernon Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the North Vernon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Schwake.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal Gustive H. Schwake is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In IN, 311 of 504 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.7% of this state's fallen. That is 61.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At North Vernon Police Department, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gustive H. Schwake's cause is highlighted.
How Gustive H. Schwake Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gustive H. Schwake is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gustive H. Schwake was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from North Vernon Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
