Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff William Van Camp was shot and killed while investigating a report of two suspicious men sitting in a stolen car in a wooded area approximately one mile north of Mt. Carmel.
Both men were discovered in the Ohio Penitentiary six months later where they were both serving a 25-year sentence for robbing the Farmers Bank in Greenville. They were released on August 18th, 1939, without notification to authorities in Indiana. Six weeks later Sheriff Van Camp's killer was apprehended in Wheeling, West Virginia, after he resisted arrest and was shot by a police officer. He was returned to Indiana and died from his gunshot wound on October 28th, 1939, in the Franklin County Jail.
The other suspect was apprehended in Ohio four weeks after being released. He was returned to Franklin County where he was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Sheriff Van Camp was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department for three years.
Sheriff Van Camp will always be remembered for his service to Franklin County, Indiana. His name is on the Remembrance Memorial on the courthouse lawn. Thanks to a Brookville Town Police Officer who made sure everyone who gave their life in the line of duty would never be forgotten. Police & Sheriff’s Fireman & First Responders EMS. Thank You to, Brookville Assistant Police Chief Leslie Washnock.
Chaplain, & Pastor Les Washnock Assistant Chief, Leslie Washnock was my Father August 22nd, 2023
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IN-370FD7BF- Stewardship
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- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Van Camp gave the Franklin County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Brookville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Van Camp served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff William Van Camp 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Van Camp's cause is highlighted.
How William Van Camp Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed in 1939
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Van Camp is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Van Camp was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.