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Patrolman

Issac Wiltse

Owego Police Department — Owego, NY

Felonious

End of Watch July 17, 1869

Age 50

The Vigil Panel 3 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Patrolman Wiltse was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest several burglars. Patrolman Wiltse was on patrol in an area that had been plagued with burglaries and arson over the past few nights. While walking his beat, Patrolman Wiltse heard noises from the rear of a store and went to investigate. There he found two men attempted to pry open the window of the building. Patrolman Wiltse recognized on of the men as being wanted in connection with the burglaries and arson. Patrolman Wiltse stated "I know you; you are the man I have been looking for," when the suspect turned and fired a shot, striking Patrolman Wiltse in the face. Patrolman Wiltse was able to return fire, striking the suspect, but the suspect fired again, killing Patrolman Wiltse. The suspect also died on the scene. The second suspect fled, but was later apprehended.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-DE8FE7DD
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

157 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Wiltse served with the Owego Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Owego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Owego Police Department

Location Owego, NY

Platform Identity opd.tioga.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 17, 1869

Age 50

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender One shot and killed by Ptl. Wiltse

Patrolman Issac Wiltse 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Owego 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.

Owego Police Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Issac Wiltse's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Issac Wiltse Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

One shot and killed by Ptl. Wiltse

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Issac Wiltse is highlighted in Jul.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Issac Wiltse was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Owego Police Department are honored on badge.nw.