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Incident
Chief of Detectives William Dwyer was shot and killed during a shootout in the Vigo County Courthouse. A defendant who had just been convicted of dynamiting three stores in Sandford produced a gun and began firing, killing Detective Dwyer and wounding three others. Other officers returned fire wounding the suspect. The suspect had dynamited the three businesses because the owners had exposed his illegal drinking establishment. His conviction came as a result of Detective Dwyer's testimony. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two to 21 years in prison on October 4, 1908. He was paroled in 1915. On January 18, 1925, he was shot and killed by officers near Terre Haute during a sensational gun battle. He started the fight with the officers for no known reason. Detective Dwyer had served with the Terre Haute Police Department for 20 years.
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20 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Detectives Dwyer gave the Terre Haute Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Terre Haute community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Detectives Dwyer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Terre Haute Police Department has lost 14 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1908, 1 officer at Terre Haute Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 2.
In 1908, 1 officer in IN was killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 47. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Terre Haute Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36.3 and 46.3; the middle age was 43.5. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
William was 47. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 47. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.3% of these deaths at Terre Haute Police Department; January holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 25%.
April holds 8.7% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 14 deaths at Terre Haute Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.8% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Terre Haute Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William E. Dwyer
Apr 2, 1908
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Matthew A. Dorley
Jan 23, 1919
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Herbert Long
Feb 9, 1922
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Stephen Kendall
Jan 23, 1924
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Harry Borum
Nov 23, 1924
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Herman F. Harms
Jan 25, 1925
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Walter Lanfair
Aug 3, 1934
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Wayne E. Jones
Jun 25, 1951
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Clarence D. Thompson
Mar 8, 1964
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James William Utz
Sep 15, 1981
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Harold Lee Rogers
Jun 16, 1984
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Brent Daniel Long
Jul 11, 2011
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Robert Shawn Pitts
May 4, 2018
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Gregory Joseph Ferency
Jul 7, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Terre Haute Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
