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Incident
Detective Matthew Dorley was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest.
Detective Dorley and his partner were attempting to arrest three robbery suspects at 6th Street and the Vandalia Railroad yards. A gunbattle ensued, leaving Detective Dorley dead. One of the suspects was shot and killed by Detective Dorley's partner.
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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.
Detective Dorley served with the Terre Haute Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Terre Haute community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Dorley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Terre Haute Police Department has lost 14 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Matthew is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew 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 1919, 1 officer at Terre Haute Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 2.
In 1919, 6 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Matthew was 52. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Terre Haute Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36.3 and 46.3; the middle age was 43.5.
Matthew was 52. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
Matthew was 52. 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.
Matthew was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 25% of these deaths at Terre Haute Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 25%.
January holds 11% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 14 deaths at Terre Haute Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% 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
Terre Haute Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Matthew among them.
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William E. Dwyer
Apr 2, 1908
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Matthew A. Dorley
Jan 23, 1919
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Herbert Long
Feb 9, 1922
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Stephen Kendall
Jan 23, 1924
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Harry Borum
Nov 23, 1924
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Herman F. Harms
Jan 25, 1925
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Walter Lanfair
Aug 3, 1934
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Wayne E. Jones
Jun 25, 1951
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Clarence D. Thompson
Mar 8, 1964
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James William Utz
Sep 15, 1981
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Harold Lee Rogers
Jun 16, 1984
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Brent Daniel Long
Jul 11, 2011
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Robert Shawn Pitts
May 4, 2018
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Gregory Joseph Ferency
Jul 7, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Terre Haute Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
