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Incident
Sheriff Orville Litchfield and Night Chief John Leonard, of the Toluca Police Department, were shot and killed when they attempted to arrest a man for beating his wife.
The suspect escaped after the murders and was the focus of a large manhunt. He was arrested by Evanston, Illinois, detectives in July 1926.
The 60 year-old suspect was convicted of murder and died in prison on May 11, 1933.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Litchfield served with the Marshall County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lacon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Litchfield.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Marshall County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Orville is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Orville is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Orville 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 1925, 22 officers in IL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Orville was 29. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Orville was 29. 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.
Orville was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 8.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 14.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Marshall County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Marshall County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Orville among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Marshall County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.