Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy John Grove and Deputy Wallace McClure were shot and killed while transporting two prisoners, 19 and 20, to the Pendleton Penitentiary in Deputy Grove's car.
The prisoners had been convicted of armed robbery and about to serve two to 20 year sentences in prison. When they failed to arrive at the penitentiary, a nationwide manhunt began and the next day the prisoner's uncle saw the prisoners driving Deputy Grove's car near Danville, Illinois. Two days later, the car was found abandoned in Decatur, Illinois, and Deputy Grove's hat was found east of Lafayette near Maple Point.
The bodies of Deputies Grove and McClure were found on February 16 in a field west of Covington in Warren County. Sometime during the transport the prisoners were able to gain control of the deputy's weapons and executed both of them.
One of the prisoners was arrested on May 21 at his uncle's home in West Lafayette and on June 9, he was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. After more than three years, the other prisoner was captured in Albuquerque, New Mexico, using an alias name. He confessed that he shot and killed both officers and was sentenced to life in prison on January 8, 1932. He was denied parole in 1945. The other suspect was paroled on June 16, 1945, and released to Illinois authorities to face an old parole violation.
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Grove served with the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lafayette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Grove.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Paris Grove 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 Tippecanoe County Sheriff's 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Paris Grove's cause is highlighted.
How John Paris Grove Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Paris Grove is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
