Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Clinton Osthimer was shot and killed after making a traffic stop. Officer Osthimer and another officer had stopped a vehicle for running a stop sign and drunken driving after a short pursuit. The suspect was arrested, and while being transported to the jail, he produced a .38-caliber semi-automatic revolver. The suspect then shot Officer Osthimer in the throat severing his jugular vein, and attempted to shoot the other officer, but the gun jammed. When the other officer knocked the gun from the suspect's hand, he exited the squad car and fled on foot but was recaptured about two blocks away. Officer Osthimer was transported to Wabash County Hospital and was dead on arrival. At the time of his arrest, unknown to the officers, the suspect was driving a stolen vehicle, wanted for larceny, and was absent without leave from the military. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The suspect escaped prison in 1969 but was found living under an assumed name in Alabama 10 years later. While awaiting extradition to Indiana, the suspect died. Officer Osthimer had served with the Wabash Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-A506BE07- 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.
Officer Osthimer gave the Wabash Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wabash community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Osthimer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Clinton Maxwell Osthimer 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. Clinton Maxwell Osthimer's cause is highlighted.
How Clinton Maxwell Osthimer Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in 1979
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clinton Maxwell Osthimer is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clinton Maxwell Osthimer was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.