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Incident
Deputy Dilworth was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a man wanted for rape. When he and another deputy entered a house to arrest the man the suspect and a second man confronted them with pistols. Deputy Dilworth was shot in the head when he attempted to disarm one of the suspects. The second deputy was shot in the back twice and wounded. The suspect was apprehended and hanged for Deputy Dilworth's murder.
Survivors
Deputy Dilworth was survived by his wife and daughter.
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 Dilworth served with the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Waterloo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dilworth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Wendell is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Wendell is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wendell 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 1932, 2 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wendell was 39. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41.
Wendell was 39. 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.
Wendell was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 10.9% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Fridays: 14%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 handgun, in 20.9% 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 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
Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Wendell among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
