Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Jay Wilson was shot and killed as he and two other officers arrived at Third and Main Street to check on two suspicious men at 4:30 p.m. As they approached, the two men, who were well-known criminals, exited the building and opened fire on the officers, fatally wounding Officer Wilson and wounding the other two officers. A civilian at the scene picked up one of the officers' machine guns and returned fire, killing both suspects. Officer Wilson died from his wounds two days later at Saint Elizabeth Hospital. He served with the Lafayette Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-A09C7FE8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Officer Wilson gave the Lafayette Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Lafayette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer John Wesley Wilson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lafayette Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Wesley Wilson's cause is highlighted.
How John Wesley Wilson Compares
Offender Outcome
Both shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Wesley Wilson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Wesley Wilson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lafayette Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
