Issac Wiltse
Agency patch
Patrolman

Issac Wiltse

Owego Police Department — Owego, NY
Felonious
End of Watch July 17, 1869
Age 50
The Vigil Panel 3 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Wiltse was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest several burglars. Patrolman Wiltse was on patrol in an area that had been plagued with burglaries and arson over the past few nights. While walking his beat, Patrolman Wiltse heard noises from the rear of a store and went to investigate. There he found two men attempted to pry open the window of the building. Patrolman Wiltse recognized on of the men as being wanted in connection with the burglaries and arson. Patrolman Wiltse stated "I know you; you are the man I have been looking for," when the suspect turned and fired a shot, striking Patrolman Wiltse in the face. Patrolman Wiltse was able to return fire, striking the suspect, but the suspect fired again, killing Patrolman Wiltse. The suspect also died on the scene. The second suspect fled, but was later apprehended.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-DE8FE7DD
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

157 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Wiltse served with the Owego Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Owego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Owego, NY
Platform Identity opd.tioga.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 17, 1869
Age 50
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Patrolman Issac Wiltse 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 NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Owego Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Owego Police Department
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
NY — Statewide
728
of 2,147 officers
33.9% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Issac Wiltse's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Issac Wiltse Compares

Age at Death
50
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Issac Wiltse is highlighted in Jul.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Issac Wiltse was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Owego Police Department are honored on badge.nw.