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Incident
Sheriff Roy Holley was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a farmer who had shot and killed a neighboring farmer in Ross Township. The neighbor was cutting down a tree, and the suspect mistakenly thought the tree was on his property. Sheriff Holley and four deputies entered the man's home and told him he was under arrest. The suspect ran up the stairs with the officers in pursuit. As Sheriff Holley neared the top, the man turned and fired a shotgun, striking Sheriff Holley twice. The deputies grabbed the sheriff and retreated to a back porch. As they attempted to move him to the vehicle, the man came out and opened fire on them a second time, wounding three deputies. The suspect eventually committed suicide after a four-hour shootout with authorities in which four Gary police officers were wounded. Sheriff Holley had served with the Lake County Sheriff's Department for four years, having just begun serving his second term as the 31st sheriff of Lake County. He was survived by his wife, who was appointed sheriff to serve the remainder of her husband's term, and twin 16-year-old daughters. Sheriff Holley's wife was the second female to serve as a sheriff in the state of Indiana. Sheriff Holley is buried in Beaver City Cemetery, Newton County, Indiana.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, who was appointed sheriff to serve the remainder of her husband's term, and twin 16-year-old daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Holley gave the Lake County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Crown Point community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Holley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lake County Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Roy is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Roy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roy 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 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
Roy was 43. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Roy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Roy was 43. 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. Roy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roy was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Roy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 11% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Mondays: 12.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 7 deaths at Lake County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 7.1% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Lake County Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, Roy among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Lake County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
