Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy John Cleary succumbed to a gunshot wound suffered 15 years earlier when he was shot by a burglary suspect. Deputy Cleary had apprehended the man at his home and had arranged for the man to return the stolen money to the grocery store that was burglarized. When he let the man go into his home to get the money the man also slipped a revolver into his pocket. As the two men neared 5th and Ohio streets the suspect opened fire, striking Deputy Cleary in the chest and abdomen. Deputy Cleary was taken home but doctors were unable to remove the bullet. Deputy Cleary made a slow recovery and returned to duty. The following May, Deputy Cleary and other officers located the original shooting suspect in a home at 5th and Eagle streets. As Deputy Cleary attempted a second arrest the man shot him in the leg and head. Deputy Cleary was able to take the suspect into custody. Deputy Cleary's health continued to deteriorate until his death in on April 9, 1892. Deputy Cleary had served with the Vigo County Sheriff's Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-F4039E59- 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
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Cleary gave the Vigo County Sheriff's Office 23 years.
Thank you for your service to the Terre Haute community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John M. Cleary 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 Vigo County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John M. Cleary's cause is highlighted.
How John M. Cleary Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John M. Cleary is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John M. Cleary was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Vigo County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
