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Incident
Officer Clinton Osthimer was shot and killed after making a traffic stop. Officer Osthimer and another officer had stopped a vehicle for running a stop sign and drunken driving after a short pursuit. The suspect was arrested, and while being transported to the jail, he produced a .38-caliber semi-automatic revolver. The suspect then shot Officer Osthimer in the throat severing his jugular vein, and attempted to shoot the other officer, but the gun jammed. When the other officer knocked the gun from the suspect's hand, he exited the squad car and fled on foot but was recaptured about two blocks away. Officer Osthimer was transported to Wabash County Hospital and was dead on arrival. At the time of his arrest, unknown to the officers, the suspect was driving a stolen vehicle, wanted for larceny, and was absent without leave from the military. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The suspect escaped prison in 1969 but was found living under an assumed name in Alabama 10 years later. While awaiting extradition to Indiana, the suspect died. Officer Osthimer had served with the Wabash Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
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 Osthimer gave the Wabash Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wabash community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Osthimer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clinton is the only officer of Wabash Police Department remembered here.
Clinton is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Clinton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clinton is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1943, 2 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1943, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1943, 86 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clinton was 34. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clinton had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Clinton was 34. 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. Clinton had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clinton was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clinton 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. Tuesdays: 15.8%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wabash Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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