Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief John Ellis died from wounds suffered two days earlier after being shot while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect. While an accomplice stood across the street, another subject entered the Miller Pawnshop on South Canal Street with a red handkerchief over his face and commanded the shop's owner to turn over the day's receipts, who complied. Patrolman Virgil Kirkman and another officer responded after being alerted to the robbery by a customer leaving the store. As Patrolman Kirkman entered the store with his gun holstered, the suspect turned and shot the officer through the head without warning. Patrolman Kirkman later died in a hospital. The 16-year-old accomplice was arrested shortly after the robbery and refused to cooperate with authorities. The 25-year-old suspect fled the scene to his father's home, where Chief Ellis was mortally wounded while attempting to arrest the suspect and succumbed to his injuries two days later in a hospital. After escaping, the suspect had his wounded arm tended to by a doctor in Orestes and started walking toward Frankton. He was found asleep in a nearby barn after several posses had formed to search for him. The accused were moved five days later from the city jail and held in Anderson for fear that a lynching would take place. Both suspects were later sentenced to life in prison. The accomplice was paroled in 1919. The killer was released in 1936. Chief Ellis had served with the Alexandria Police Department for five years.
Survivors
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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.
Chief of Police Ellis gave the Alexandria Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Alexandria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Ellis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police John Ellis 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%.
At Alexandria Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Ellis's cause is highlighted.
How John Ellis Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1936
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Ellis is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Ellis was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Alexandria Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
