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Incident
Patrolman Henry Wentz was shot and killed while backing up county officers who were responding to a report of a murder. The initial call was that a man had just killed a woman at a roadhouse and was going crazy. Patrolman Wentz was one of the first officers to arrive. Upon seeing the man leave the house Patrolman Wentz gave chase but was shot. He gave his gun to a county prosecutor who was riding with him and told him to catch the suspect. Other officers returned and found Patrolman Wentz dead. The wound penetrated his femoral artery, causing him to bleed to death. The suspect was shot and killed at the scene. Patrolman Wentz had served with the Elkhart Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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.
Patrolman Wentz gave the Elkhart Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Elkhart community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wentz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Elkhart Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Henry is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry 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 1924, 6 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 51. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Henry was 51. 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. Henry had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Saturdays: 15.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Elkhart Police Department, the most common cause. 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Elkhart Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Henry among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Elkhart Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
