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Incident
Officer Matthew Gebhardt was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two brothers for being drunk in public. One of the brothers was able to obtain control of Officer Gebhardt's service revolver and opened fire. The shots struck both Officer Gebhardt and the man's brother, killing both. The 21-year-old suspect was arrested and sentenced to life in prison for Officer Gebhardt's death. In 1933 he tricked doctors into thinking he had tuberculosis after he drink shellac. He was granted a 60 day parole for treatments. Once out he immediately joined John Dillinger and his gang and committed several robberies in Indiana and Kentucky. He was captured in East Chicago several weeks later and returned to prison. It was later discovered he committed several robberies during the years before he murdered Officer Gebhardt. He was paroled in 1944 but sent back to prison in 1946 to finish his life sentence after he was caught for safe cracking at the Farmer Supply store in Peru. He was paroled again in 1967. Officer Gebhardt had served with the Fort Wayne Police Department for two years.
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.
Officer Gebhardt gave the Fort Wayne Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Wayne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Gebhardt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fort Wayne Police Department has lost 6 officers; 2 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 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew 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 1926, 7 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Matthew was 36. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Matthew had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Matthew was 36. 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. Matthew had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Matthew had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 13.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Fort Wayne Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.8% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Fort Wayne Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Matthew among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Fort Wayne Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
