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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Alvin Vonsar was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect during a raid. Deputy Vonsar, along with the sheriff and other deputies, had tracked four suspects involved in multiple robberies and a murder to a rooming house at 605 West Washington Street in Bloomington. At 3:00 pm, a raid was executed and while Deputy Vonsar was covering one suspect at gunpoint in the dining room, another suspect fired one shot through a partially-opened sliding door to an adjoining room, striking Deputy Vonsar through his chest. The suspect whom Deputy Vonsar had been covering pulled a gun and was shot by the sheriff in the hand before being arrested. Deputy Vonsar was able to pursue the suspect who had shot him as he fled from the rear of the residence still firing his weapon, but was unable to chase him beyond the back porch before collapsing. Deputy Vonsar was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. On April 22nd, 1935, the suspect who shot him was convicted of his murder and sentenced to life. His sentence was reduced to 60 years in 1949 for participating in a malaria treatment experiment during World War II. His parole was denied in 1953. His sentence was to end in 1969. Deputy Vonsar had served with the McLean County Sheriff's Office for two years. He was previously an undersheriff in Berrien County, Michigan, and served with the United States Secret Service for many years assigned to the executive protection of four presidents. He was one of the first to reach the side of President Warren G. Harding when he suddenly died in San Francisco on August 2nd, 1923.
Survivors
Deputy Vonsar was survived by his wife and two daughters.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Vonsar gave the McLean County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bloomington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Vonsar.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McLean County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Alvin is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Alvin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alvin 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 1935, 9 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Alvin was 50. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Alvin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alvin was 50. 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. Alvin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alvin was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Alvin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.4% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 14.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at McLean County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% 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
McLean County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Alvin among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from McLean County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
