Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Alexander Compton was shot and killed by an 17-year-old youth after he arrested his father.
Sheriff Compton had arrested the suspect's father on a breach of peace warrant taken out by his ex-wife, the suspect's mother. As he was escorting his father to jail the suspect came up behind him and shot him in the head.
The suspect and his father were arrested later that night and charged with Sheriff Compton's murder. Both were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The father was paroled on January 19, 1925. His son applied for a parole in 1927 but the outcome is unknown.
I always say I will not apologize for what dead people did when they were alive. If ever there was a time for such an apologize, this would be it. Such a violent action reverberates through time and touches the lives of the perpetrators and the victim. The shooter is a 2nd cousin twice removed as I have found through researching my family. I am sorry for the pain of the Compton family and those who knew Sheriff and his descendants who heard the story. I always support the Blues and pay my respects now for the fallen. I am glad you have this reflections page.
Starlene R Johnson December 10th, 2020
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IL-285AE139- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Compton served with the Wabash County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Carmel community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Compton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Alexander Compton 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alexander Compton's cause is highlighted.
How Alexander Compton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alexander Compton is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alexander Compton was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Wabash County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.