Roll of Honor
John Irwin Wilson
Incident
Special Agent John Wilson and Special Agent Walter Gilbert were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man during an undercover operation in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The agents had arranged with the man to meet at a bridge at 8:00 pm for the delivery of liquor. When the suspect arrived he suspected he was being setup and opened fire, striking Agent Wilson four times and killing him instantly. Agent Gilbert was struck once in the back and succumbed to his wounds at a local hospital. The suspect was also shot and wounded and taken into custody one hour later. The suspect, 35, was charged with two counts of murder. He had been released from Leavenworth six months earlier after serving 15 months for violating the prohibition act. He was to be tried for each agent separately; Agent Gilbert first. At trial the suspect claimed the agents fired first. His attorney claimed entrapment. On November 18, 1931, he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced from 2 to 19 years. He was never tried for Agent Wilson's murder. He was paroled on November 30, 1934.
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Wilson served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent John Irwin 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition, 22 of 35 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Irwin Wilson's cause is highlighted.
How John Irwin Wilson Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1934
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Irwin Wilson is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Irwin Wilson was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
34 officers from United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
