Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Hamilton Perry was shot and killed while attempting to serve a writ execution upon a man for an unpaid grocery bill.
He had met the man at his home in West Terre Haute and read him the writ that had been issued by a judge. The man claimed he had nothing of value to satisfy the writ, prompting Constable Perry to inquire about the ownership of an automobile in the man's garage.
The man then produced a .38 caliber revolver and demanded that Constable Perry leave his property. He then shot Constable Perry in the head when he refused to leave. Constable Perry was able to stumble to the front of the home where a passerby found him and took him to a local hospital. He died a short time later.
The man who shot him was out on parole as the result of a previous manslaughter conviction. He was arrested and charged with Constable Perry's murder.
Constable Perry was a widower.
Constable Hamilton Perry Dalton is my great-grandfather, and his daughter, Bessie Pearl is my grandmother. We have always heard about his death and have a newspaper clipping as well. Such a senseless death, however, my great-grandfather was doing his job as a lot of our fallen police officers were as well. Miss hearing more stories about his side of the family through my grandfather, I know he and she are both watching over all of us. Rest in Peace my grandfather.
Great-Granddaughter Shelly Behaeghe May 26th, 2023
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- April 2, 2026
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- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Dalton served with the Sugar Creek Township Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Terre Haute community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Dalton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Hamilton Perry Dalton is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hamilton Perry Dalton's cause is highlighted.
How Hamilton Perry Dalton Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hamilton Perry Dalton is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hamilton Perry Dalton was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.