Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Avis Dutcher was shot and killed while attempting to take a subject into custody in downtown Williamsport. Sheriff Dutcher met up with a subject who was on parole and had an outstanding speeding warrant at 11:30 pm. While the two were conversing, Marshal Brier appeared and was asked by the sheriff to search the suspect for any weapons, but none were found. As the three walked to a nearby law office, the suspect began protesting and pointed the barrel of an undiscovered .32-caliber French automatic revolver through his trousers at the officers demanding that they go to the lawyer's residence to resolve the fine. They walked a short distance to the suspect's vehicle, and after all three got into the front seat, Sheriff Dutcher grabbed the suspect, and a struggle ensued. The suspect was able to free himself from Sheriff Dutcher and fell out of the vehicle to the ground after being struck on the wrist by the marshal's club. At this point, several shots were fired by the suspect into the vehicle, striking Sheriff Dutcher in the abdomen and arm, which penetrated his heart and caused his death moments later. As the suspect fled the scene on foot, two shots were fired by the marshal, with one striking the suspect, who continued to flee. A large manhunt by police and citizens covering numerous nearby counties and into Illinois could not locate the suspect. On September 23, the suspect's body was located by a citizen behind a freight depot with a second gunshot wound that was determined to be self-inflicted. Sheriff Dutcher had served with the Warren County Sheriff's Department for 3½ years, nearing the end of his second two-year term.
Sheriff Avis Dutcher was shot and killed while attempting to take a subject into custody in downtown Williamsport.
Sheriff Dutcher met up with a subject who was on parole and had an outstanding speeding warrant at 11:30 pm. While the two were conversing, Marshal Brier appeared and was asked by the sheriff to search the suspect for any weapons, but none were found. As the three walked to a nearby law office, the suspect began protesting and pointed the barrel of an undiscovered .32-caliber French automatic revolver through his trousers at the officers demanding that they go to the lawyer's residence to resolve the fine.
They walked a short distance to the suspect's vehicle, and after all three got into the front seat, Sheriff Dutcher grabbed the suspect, and a struggle ensued. The suspect was able to free himself from Sheriff Dutcher and fell out of the vehicle to the ground after being struck on the wrist by the marshal's club. At this point, several shots were fired by the suspect into the vehicle, striking Sheriff Dutcher in the abdomen and arm, which penetrated his heart and caused his death moments later.
As the suspect fled the scene on foot, two shots were fired by the marshal, with one striking the suspect, who continued to flee. A large manhunt by police and citizens covering numerous nearby counties and into Illinois could not locate the suspect. On September 23, the suspect's body was located by a citizen behind a freight depot with a second gunshot wound that was determined to be self-inflicted.
Sheriff Dutcher had served with the Warren County Sheriff's Department for 3½ years, nearing the end of his second two-year term.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, two sons, parents, three sisters, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Dutcher gave the Warren County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Williamsport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Dutcher.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Avis Madison Dutcher 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. Avis Madison Dutcher's cause is highlighted.
How Avis Madison Dutcher Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Avis Madison Dutcher is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Avis Madison Dutcher was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.