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Incident
Marshal Gustive Schwake was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call. The suspect, who was under the influence of alcohol, had been quarrelling with his wife, and as the dispute escalated, he attempted to kill her with a knife. As she was fleeing toward a neighbor's house, a passer-by went to summon Marshal Schwake in town. When Marshal Schwake arrived to question the suspect, he was found sitting in his front yard, armed with a shotgun. As Marshal Schwake approached further, the suspect took aim and shot Marshal Schwake in the head and chest, killing him instantly. The suspect went into his residence and then escaped out of the rear door towards a creek. Knowing that a posse was in pursuit, the suspect committed suicide with the same shotgun used to kill Marshal Schwake. Marshal Schwake had served with the North Vernon Police Department for 1½ years.
Marshal Gustive Schwake was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call.
The suspect, who was under the influence of alcohol, had been quarrelling with his wife, and as the dispute escalated, he attempted to kill her with a knife. As she was fleeing toward a neighbor's house, a passer-by went to summon Marshal Schwake in town. When Marshal Schwake arrived to question the suspect, he was found sitting in his front yard, armed with a shotgun. As Marshal Schwake approached further, the suspect took aim and shot Marshal Schwake in the head and chest, killing him instantly.
The suspect went into his residence and then escaped out of the rear door towards a creek. Knowing that a posse was in pursuit, the suspect committed suicide with the same shotgun used to kill Marshal Schwake.
Marshal Schwake had served with the North Vernon Police Department for 1½ years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son and daughter.
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
You barely got started.
Marshal Schwake gave the North Vernon Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the North Vernon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Schwake.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
North Vernon Police Department has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Gustive is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Gustive is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gustive 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 1903, 1 officer at North Vernon Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1993, with 2.
In 1903, 3 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1903, 103 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1903, 106 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gustive was 64. Of the 5 killed feloniously at North Vernon Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 52; the middle age was 44. Gustive had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 1.5 years.
Gustive was 64. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gustive had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Gustive was 64. 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. Gustive had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gustive was 64. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gustive had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 40% of these deaths at North Vernon Police Department; March holds the most, 40%. Wednesdays: 60%.
September holds 8.7% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 13.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at North Vernon Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7.1% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
North Vernon Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Gustive among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from North Vernon Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
