Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Ray Compton was shot and killed while attempting to serve a search warrant at a home in the Circleville area as part of an investigation involving illegal liquor stills. As Sheriff Compton and two deputies entered the home, the homeowner ran up the stairs. Sheriff Compton ran up the stairs after him but was shot by the man as he reached the top. The suspect escaped but later committed suicide after being involved in a shootout with Cincinnati, Ohio, officers. At the time of Sheriff Compton's murder, the suspect was an escapee from several murders committed in Iowa and Missouri. The house Sheriff Compton was murdered in was on the same road on which Patrolman Walter Garrison, of the Rushville Police Department, was shot and killed February 3rd, 1931.
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BO-US-IN-A5343DD5- 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.
Sheriff Compton served with the Rush County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rushville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Compton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Ray Compton 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 Rush County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 2 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. Ray Compton's cause is highlighted.
How Ray Compton Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ray Compton is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ray Compton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rush County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
