Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Illinois Incident Date: Tuesday, December 16, 1930 Weapon: Rifle; Machine gun Offender: Two committed suicide
Special Deputy Sheriff Joe Walker was shot and killed while as he and other members of a posse pursued a truck containing fives bank robbery suspects into Edgar County, Illinois.
The subjects had robbed a bank in Clinton, Indiana, and fled toward Dana, Indiana. A posse was formed in Dana and attempted to intercept the vehicle as it drove through town. A pursuit ensued that entered Edgar County, Illinois. During the pursuit the suspects fired a machine gun mounted in the back of a truck, fatally wounding Deputy Walker.
The pursuit ended in a cornfield where two of the subjects committed suicide. A third suspect was wounded the last two remaining suspects were apprehended.
Deputy Walker was transported to a hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he succumbed to his wounds the following day.
Deputy Walker was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Walker was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Walker served with the Vermillion County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Newport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Walker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Sheriff Joseph L. Walker 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 Vermillion County Sheriff's Office, 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. Joseph L. Walker's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph L. Walker Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph L. Walker is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph L. Walker was killed by rifle; machine gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vermillion County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
