Roll of Honor

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Constable

Dennis O'Donnell

Harrison Township Constable's Office — Terre Haute, IN

Felonious

End of Watch July 22, 1912

Age 50

Tour of Duty 3 mo

The Vigil Panel 26 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Constable Dennis O'Donnell was shot and killed while attempting to serve a writ of replevin at a man's home over an unpaid bill for two blankets valued at $8.00.

The man opened fire on Constable O'Donnell with a shotgun after the constable pushed past the man's daughter to enter the home.

The subject was arrested and charged with murder. The charges were later dismissed due to a lack of evidence and an important witness who disappeared.

Constable O'Donnell was survived by his wife and four children.

Survivors

Constable O'Donnell was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IN-211B86E8
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.
Constable O'Donnell served with the Harrison Township Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Terre Haute community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable O'Donnell.

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

Agency

Department Harrison Township Constable's Office

Location Terre Haute, IN

Platform Identity htco.vigo.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 22, 1912

Tour of Duty 3 mo

Age 50

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Charges dropped

Constable Dennis O'Donnell 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%.

Harrison Township Constable's Office

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dennis O'Donnell's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Dennis O'Donnell Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

0.2

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Charges dropped

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dennis O'Donnell is highlighted in Jul.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dennis O'Donnell was killed by shotgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518