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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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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rush County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Ray is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Ray is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ray is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 4 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
October holds 5.5% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Mondays: 12.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Rush County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Rush County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Ray among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rush County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
