Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Howard Wagner was shot and killed while investigating a group of men standing in front of the Merchants National Bank in the downtown area. He was directing traffic on Wayne and Michigan Streets when he noticed the men entering the bank and heard gunfire. As he approached the bank, the man standing watch pulled out his machine gun and fired, killing Patrolman Wagner. Upon investigation, it was determined that the men were members of the Dillinger Gang. Patrolman Wagner had served with the South Bend Police Department for over four years. Survivors include his parents, two brothers, and four sisters. Led by John Dillinger, the Dillinger Gang was a notorious group of Midwest bank robbers. Associates of the gang were responsible for the fatal shootings of 13 law enforcement officers in 1933 and 1934. Two infamous members of the gang, John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson, were shot and killed by law enforcement officers in separate incidents. The other gang members were either murdered by criminals, shot and killed by law enforcement officers, executed for their crimes, or sentenced to time in prison. Click here to see all the officers killed by members of the Dillinger Gang
Survivors
Survivors include his parents, two brothers, and four sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-F2D6C255- 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 Wagner gave the South Bend Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the South Bend community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wagner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Howard C. Wagner 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 South Bend Police Department, 11 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Howard C. Wagner's cause is highlighted.
How Howard C. Wagner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Howard C. Wagner is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Howard C. Wagner was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from South Bend Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
