Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Deputy William Engel was shot and killed at the New Albany and Salem Railroad Station in New Albany while assisting with transporting prisoners to the Indiana Reformatory.
He was escorting a murder suspect when the man suddenly drew a pistol and shot him in the back of the head as they stepped off the train at the station at the intersection of Pearl Street and Oak Street. The man had obtained the pistol from a friend at the train station where the prisoners were being loaded.
The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1953 his sentence was commuted to time served to life making him eligible for parole.
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BO-US-IN-F6052BBF- 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.
Special Deputy Engel served with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Evansville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Engel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy William H. Engel 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 Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William H. Engel's cause is highlighted.
How William H. Engel Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Engel is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
