Henry W. Wentz

Elkhart Police Department — Elkhart, IN

Felonious

End of Watch December 13, 1924

Age 51

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

The Vigil Panel 48 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Patrolman Henry Wentz was shot and killed while backing up county officers who were responding to a report of a murder. The initial call was that a man had just killed a woman at a roadhouse and was going crazy. Patrolman Wentz was one of the first officers to arrive. Upon seeing the man leave the house Patrolman Wentz gave chase but was shot. He gave his gun to a county prosecutor who was riding with him and told him to catch the suspect. Other officers returned and found Patrolman Wentz dead. The wound penetrated his femoral artery, causing him to bleed to death. The suspect was shot and killed at the scene. Patrolman Wentz had served with the Elkhart Police Department for 10 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IN-07A98B88
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: 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.
Patrolman Wentz gave the Elkhart Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Elkhart community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wentz.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Elkhart Police Department

Location Elkhart, IN

Platform Identity epd.elkhart.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 13, 1924

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Age 51

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber

Offender Shot and killed

Patrolman Henry W. Wentz 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 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 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Elkhart Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Elkhart Police Department

of 4 officers

50% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious