Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Fred Cromwell was shot and killed by a man he surprised burglarizing a local clothing store at 3:30 am.
Patrolman Cromwell was making his early morning rounds when he found a key in the front door of the store. As he opened the door, he was shot twice and killed instantly.
The suspect, 36, was apprehended a month later in Los Angeles, California, after a fierce gun battle with four Los Angeles police officers. On May 13th, 1915, he was convicted of Patrolman Cromwell's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died at a hospital for insane criminals in Michigan City on July 16, 1942.
Patrolman Cromwell had been the Patrolman for only six days after many years as the town's fire chief.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IN-57C4DB8C- 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 Cromwell served with the Linton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Linton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cromwell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Fred Cromwell 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. Fred Cromwell's cause is highlighted.
How Fred Cromwell Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred Cromwell is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred Cromwell was killed by gun; unknown type.