Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal Joe Fishback was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for disorderly conduct following a dispute about voting on election day.
Marshal Fishback's brother had refused to vote and was confronted by an angry citizen who threatened him. The citizen went home, retrieved a revolver, and attempted to find Marshal Fishback's brother. Marshal Fishback confronted the man and attempted to arrest him but the man shot him twice in the abdomen. Marshal Fishback died the following day.
The subject was arrested, convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to 21 years.
Marshal Fishback was survived by his wife, four sons, two daughters, three brothers, and two sisters.
Survivors
Marshal Fishback was survived by his wife, four sons, two daughters, three brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IN-58B61ED0- 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.
City Marshal Fishback served with the Cannelton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cannelton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Fishback.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Joseph Fishback, Sr. 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. Joseph Fishback, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Fishback, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 21 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Fishback, Sr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Fishback, Sr. was killed by handgun.