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Incident
Officer Jerrold Wyss was killed in an automobile accident while en route to back up another officer investigating a report of a vehicle whose occupants were firing a gun into a residence in rural Adams County.
Officer Wyss' patrol car flipped over several times on U.S. 224 near the Indiana-Ohio border, ejecting him from the vehicle. The other officer chased the suspect vehicle into Ohio before calling off the pursuit. The suspects were never apprehended.
Officer Wyss had served with the Decatur Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and 1-year-old son. In 2002, U.S. 224 from County Road 200 East to County Road 700 East in Adams County was dedicated the Jerrold J. Wyss Memorial Highway in his honor.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 1-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Police Officer Wyss gave the Decatur Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Wyss.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Jerrold is the only officer of Decatur Police Department remembered here.
Jerrold is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Jerrold is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jerrold is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 3 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Jerrold was 29. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Jerrold had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Jerrold was 29. 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. Jerrold had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jerrold was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Jerrold had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Tuesdays: 23.2%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Decatur Police 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 29.8% of all 33,917 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 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Decatur Police Department are honored on badge.nw.