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Incident
Patrolman Howard Wagner was shot and killed while investigating a group of men standing in front of the Merchants National Bank in the downtown area. He was directing traffic on Wayne and Michigan Streets when he noticed the men entering the bank and heard gunfire. As he approached the bank, the man standing watch pulled out his machine gun and fired, killing Patrolman Wagner. Upon investigation, it was determined that the men were members of the Dillinger Gang. Patrolman Wagner had served with the South Bend Police Department for over four years. Survivors include his parents, two brothers, and four sisters. Led by John Dillinger, the Dillinger Gang was a notorious group of Midwest bank robbers. Associates of the gang were responsible for the fatal shootings of 13 law enforcement officers in 1933 and 1934. Two infamous members of the gang, John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson, were shot and killed by law enforcement officers in separate incidents. The other gang members were either murdered by criminals, shot and killed by law enforcement officers, executed for their crimes, or sentenced to time in prison. Click here to see all the officers killed by members of the Dillinger Gang
Survivors
Survivors include his parents, two brothers, and four sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Wagner gave the South Bend Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the South Bend community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wagner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Bend Police Department has lost 15 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Howard is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Howard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Howard 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 1934, 1 officer at South Bend Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1933, with 2.
In 1934, 9 officers in IN were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Howard was 29. Of the 11 killed feloniously at South Bend Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 39; the middle age was 36. Howard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Howard was 29. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Howard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Howard was 29. 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. Howard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Howard was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Howard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 18.2% of these deaths at South Bend Police Department; November holds the most, 18.2%. Saturdays: 27.3%.
June holds 8.7% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Saturdays: 15.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 73.3% of all 15 deaths at South Bend Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
South Bend Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Howard among them.
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Oscar W. Christensen
May 11, 1897
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Lewis Keller
Feb 25, 1898
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Samuel Cooper Nov 1, 1900
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Hans B. Brandt
Jun 18, 1916
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Fred E. Buhland Jan 10, 1921
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Neil Mason McIntyre
Dec 25, 1923
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Lloyd L. Thompson
Feb 27, 1932
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Charles E. Farkas, Sr.
May 27, 1933
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Delbert Thompson
May 27, 1933
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Howard C. Wagner
Jun 30, 1934
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Ronald S. St. Germain, Sr.
Aug 19, 1967
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Thomas J. DeRue, Sr.
Nov 14, 1974
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Paul Richard Deguch
Aug 24, 1997
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Scott Lee Severns
Apr 23, 2006
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Nick Samuel Polizzotto
Apr 24, 2007
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from South Bend Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
