Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Henry Wentz was shot and killed while backing up county officers who were responding to a report of a murder. The initial call was that a man had just killed a woman at a roadhouse and was going crazy. Patrolman Wentz was one of the first officers to arrive. Upon seeing the man leave the house Patrolman Wentz gave chase but was shot. He gave his gun to a county prosecutor who was riding with him and told him to catch the suspect. Other officers returned and found Patrolman Wentz dead. The wound penetrated his femoral artery, causing him to bleed to death. The suspect was shot and killed at the scene. Patrolman Wentz had served with the Elkhart Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-07A98B88- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wentz gave the Elkhart Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Elkhart community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wentz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Henry W. Wentz 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 97,772 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 61.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Elkhart Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Henry W. Wentz's cause is highlighted.
How Henry W. Wentz Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry W. Wentz is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henry W. Wentz was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Elkhart Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
