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Incident
Officer Jay Wilson was shot and killed as he and two other officers arrived at Third and Main Street to check on two suspicious men at 4:30 p.m. As they approached, the two men, who were well-known criminals, exited the building and opened fire on the officers, fatally wounding Officer Wilson and wounding the other two officers. A civilian at the scene picked up one of the officers' machine guns and returned fire, killing both suspects. Officer Wilson died from his wounds two days later at Saint Elizabeth Hospital. He served with the Lafayette Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother.
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
You barely got started.
Officer Wilson gave the Lafayette Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Lafayette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lafayette Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1933, 5 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 42. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 42. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.7% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 17.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Lafayette Police Department, the most common cause. 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
Lafayette Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lafayette Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
