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Incident
Sheriff Salvatore Navarra was killed in an automobile accident during a vehicle pursuit over two miles east of Clarksburg. As the pursuit reached speeds of over 110 mph, Sheriff Navarra's vehicle flipped over as he took a curve. He was ejected through the windshield before being crushed by his squad car. The 18-year-old suspect was being pursued at the request of his parole officer for gasoline theft. When he was apprehended a week later hiding in an attic, he threatened authorities with a hunting knife. He was taken into custody and charged with resisting arrest, reckless driving, driving without a license and failure to obey a police officer. Sheriff Navarra had served with the Decatur County Sheriff's Department for nearly 2½ years.
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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.
Sheriff Navarra gave the Decatur County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greensburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Navarra.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Salvatore is the only officer of Decatur County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Salvatore is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Salvatore is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Salvatore is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1961, 1 officer in IN was lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1961, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1961, 76 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Salvatore was 51. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Salvatore had served 2.4 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Salvatore was 51. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Salvatore had served 2.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Salvatore was 51. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Salvatore had served 2.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.3% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 13.2%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Decatur County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 11.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Decatur County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.