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Incident
Sheriff William Sweet and Marshal Aaron Bailey, of the Washington Police Department, were shot and killed after arresting a man wanted for stealing a car in Ottumwa. The officers had spotted the stolen car and stopped it near the city of Washington. They arrested the driver and took him to the county courthouse. When Sheriff Sweet began to search the suspect, the man suddenly produced a .38 caliber revolver and opened fire, striking Marshal Bailey twice and Sheriff Sweet three times. Another policeman, whom the officers had picked up while en route to the courthouse, exchanged shots with the suspect but did not hit him. The suspect fled the scene and remained at large for four years. On January 6, 1934, the suspect and several other criminals were shot and killed in Illinois by members of the Chicago Police Department. The man was suspected of being an associate of the Barker-Karpis Gang and responsible for several other murders. Sheriff Sweet had served with the Washington County Sheriff's Department for nine years. He had been appointed as sheriff only 7 months earlier after the former sheriff resigned. Survivors include his two sons. The Barker-Karpis Gang committed violent crimes throughout the American Midwest in the late 1920s and mid-1930s. Members and associates of the gang were responsible for the murders of more than ten law enforcement officers. Please click here to view all the law enforcement officers killed by the Barker-Karpis Gang.
Survivors
Survivors include his two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Sweet gave the Washington County Sheriff's Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Sweet.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Washington County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
William is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 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, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 5 officers in IA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 59. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 59. 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 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 59. 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 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.5% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Wednesdays: 20.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Washington County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 18.6% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Washington County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.