Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Fred Wachendorf was shot and killed after he and his partner asked a driver to move his vehicle in front of the City Restaurant on West Third Street. When the officers told the driver to move his vehicle which was parked the wrong way, the driver opened fire on the officers with a .45-caliber revolver. Both officers were struck, mortally wounding Patrolman Wachendorf and seriously wounding the other officer. Patrolman Wachendorf was able to return fire three times, striking the suspect once in his left leg before succumbing to his own wounds. The suspect, whose motive was a grudge he held against Patrolman Wachendorf for being appointed to the position of patrolman instead of him, was arrested about a half-hour later. On February 6, 1922, he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in 1937. Patrolman Wachendorf had served with the Rushville Police Department for only one month.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-B9B2F445- 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 Wachendorf served with the Rushville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rushville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wachendorf.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Fred Wachendorf 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 Rushville Police 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. Fred Wachendorf's cause is highlighted.
How Fred Wachendorf Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1937
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred Wachendorf is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred Wachendorf was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rushville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
