Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Willard Van Horn was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect in a home at 1043 N 14th Street. The suspect and another man had robbed a service station in Muncie and had abducted the attendant. Muncie detectives learned that the suspects may have gone to Elwood and went to the city to investigate. One of the Muncie detectives accompanied Patrolman Van Horn and another patrolman to a home where they believed one of the suspects was hiding. The Muncie detective went to the front door and the two Elwood patrolmen went to the back door. As the patrolmen entered the house the suspect immediately opened fire on them, striking Patrolman Van Horn. Although mortally wounded, Patrolman Van Horn was able to return fire and shot the suspect. The man died of his wounds the following day. The second suspect was arrested and sentenced to 25 years in prison for his part in the original robbery. Patrolman Van Horn was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Elwood Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-B93A6303- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Willard is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Van Horn gave the Elwood Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Elwood community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Willard S. Van Horn served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Willard S. Van Horn 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 97,759 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 Elwood Police 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. Willard S. Van Horn's cause is highlighted.
How Willard S. Van Horn Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willard S. Van Horn is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willard S. Van Horn was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Willard S. Van Horn served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Willard S. Van Horn’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Elwood Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
