Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Ralph Pogue was shot and killed while he and another officer served a search warrant at a home in Bloomington. The owner of the home was suspected of illegally selling liquor.
When the officers arrived and started reading the warrant, the suspect grabbed it out of the officer's hand, ran to a back room, and grabbed a handgun. As the other officer struggled with the man, Officer Pogue approached to assist but was shot in the stomach. He was transported to a local hospital where he remained until succumbing to his injuries the following day.
After firing the shot, the suspect surrendered to the other officer. As he was being transported to city hall, he attempted to escape but was shot in the leg and subdued with the use of clubs when he continued to struggle. He was convicted of manslaughter after claiming the shot was fired accidentally.
On August 23, 1935, the same suspect shot and wounded an Indiana State Excise Police officer as he and other officers attempted to serve a warrant during a liquor raid at the suspect's residence in Bloomington.
Officer Pogue had served with the Bloomington Police Department for only three weeks.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and five siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-FD21BA27- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Pogue served with the Bloomington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bloomington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Pogue.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Ralph Wayne Pogue 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 Bloomington Police Department, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ralph Wayne Pogue's cause is highlighted.
How Ralph Wayne Pogue Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph Wayne Pogue is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph Wayne Pogue was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Bloomington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
