Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Detectives William Dwyer was shot and killed during a shootout in the Vigo County Courthouse. A defendant who had just been convicted of dynamiting three stores in Sandford produced a gun and began firing, killing Detective Dwyer and wounding three others. Other officers returned fire wounding the suspect. The suspect had dynamited the three businesses because the owners had exposed his illegal drinking establishment. His conviction came as a result of Detective Dwyer's testimony. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two to 21 years in prison on October 4, 1908. He was paroled in 1915. On January 18, 1925, he was shot and killed by officers near Terre Haute during a sensational gun battle. He started the fight with the officers for no known reason. Detective Dwyer had served with the Terre Haute Police Department for 20 years.
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BO-US-IN-7D27B049- Stewardship
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Detectives Dwyer gave the Terre Haute Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Terre Haute community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Detectives Dwyer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Detectives William E. Dwyer 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 Terre Haute Police Department, 12 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William E. Dwyer's cause is highlighted.
How William E. Dwyer Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William E. Dwyer is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William E. Dwyer was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Terre Haute Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
