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Incident
Patrolman Virgil Kirkman was shot and killed after responding to a robbery in progress. While an accomplice stood across the street, another subject entered the Miller Pawnshop on South Canal Street with a red handkerchief over his face and commanded the shop's owner to turn over the day's receipts, who complied. Patrolman Kirkman and another officer responded after being alerted to the robbery by a customer leaving the store. As Patrolman Kirkman entered the store with his gun holstered, the suspect turned and shot the officer through the head without warning. Patrolman Kirkman later died in a hospital. The 16-year-old accomplice was arrested shortly after the robbery and refused to cooperate with authorities. The 25-year-old suspect fled the scene to his father's home, where Chief of Police John Ellis was mortally wounded while attempting to arrest the suspect and succumbed to his injuries two days later in a hospital. After escaping, the suspect had his wounded arm tended to by a doctor in Orestes and started walking toward Frankton. He was found asleep in a nearby barn after several posses had formed to search for him. The accused were moved five days later from the city jail and held in Anderson for fear that a lynching would take place. Both suspects were later sentenced to life in prison. The accomplice was paroled in 1919. The killer was released in 1936.
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Kirkman served with the Alexandria Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Alexandria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kirkman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alexandria Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Virgil is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Virgil is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Virgil 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 1911, 4 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Virgil was 28. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
Virgil was 28. 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.
Virgil was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 10% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Saturdays: 15.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Alexandria Police Department. The weapon recorded was 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 handgun, in 26.8% 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 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
Alexandria Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Virgil among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Alexandria Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
