Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal William Miner was shot and killed while struggling with a suspect after responding to reports of someone vandalizing a vehicle. At 4:00 a.m., Marshal Miner attempted to arrest two men on Indiana 3 in Avilla for vandalism. A struggle ensued, and one of the subjects disarmed Marshal Miner, picked up the handgun, and shot him in the back. The subjects fled and were apprehended three days later. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In 1995, the Indiana Supreme Court affirmed the conviction but overturned his death sentence, which resulted in a resentencing to 60 years in prison. He was subsequently released in July 2012 after serving only 29 years in prison. The second suspect pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to eight years. Marshal Miner had served with the Avilla Police Department for two years and previously served with the South Whitley Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two small children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IN-4490AABB- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Miner gave the Avilla Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Avilla community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Miner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal William Dean Miner, Jr. 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 Dean Miner, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William Dean Miner, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 2012
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Dean Miner, Jr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Dean Miner, Jr. was killed by officer's handgun.