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Incident
Sheriff Avis Dutcher was shot and killed while attempting to take a subject into custody in downtown Williamsport. Sheriff Dutcher met up with a subject who was on parole and had an outstanding speeding warrant at 11:30 pm. While the two were conversing, Marshal Brier appeared and was asked by the sheriff to search the suspect for any weapons, but none were found. As the three walked to a nearby law office, the suspect began protesting and pointed the barrel of an undiscovered .32-caliber French automatic revolver through his trousers at the officers demanding that they go to the lawyer's residence to resolve the fine. They walked a short distance to the suspect's vehicle, and after all three got into the front seat, Sheriff Dutcher grabbed the suspect, and a struggle ensued. The suspect was able to free himself from Sheriff Dutcher and fell out of the vehicle to the ground after being struck on the wrist by the marshal's club. At this point, several shots were fired by the suspect into the vehicle, striking Sheriff Dutcher in the abdomen and arm, which penetrated his heart and caused his death moments later. As the suspect fled the scene on foot, two shots were fired by the marshal, with one striking the suspect, who continued to flee. A large manhunt by police and citizens covering numerous nearby counties and into Illinois could not locate the suspect. On September 23, the suspect's body was located by a citizen behind a freight depot with a second gunshot wound that was determined to be self-inflicted. Sheriff Dutcher had served with the Warren County Sheriff's Department for 3½ years, nearing the end of his second two-year term.
Sheriff Avis Dutcher was shot and killed while attempting to take a subject into custody in downtown Williamsport.
Sheriff Dutcher met up with a subject who was on parole and had an outstanding speeding warrant at 11:30 pm. While the two were conversing, Marshal Brier appeared and was asked by the sheriff to search the suspect for any weapons, but none were found. As the three walked to a nearby law office, the suspect began protesting and pointed the barrel of an undiscovered .32-caliber French automatic revolver through his trousers at the officers demanding that they go to the lawyer's residence to resolve the fine.
They walked a short distance to the suspect's vehicle, and after all three got into the front seat, Sheriff Dutcher grabbed the suspect, and a struggle ensued. The suspect was able to free himself from Sheriff Dutcher and fell out of the vehicle to the ground after being struck on the wrist by the marshal's club. At this point, several shots were fired by the suspect into the vehicle, striking Sheriff Dutcher in the abdomen and arm, which penetrated his heart and caused his death moments later.
As the suspect fled the scene on foot, two shots were fired by the marshal, with one striking the suspect, who continued to flee. A large manhunt by police and citizens covering numerous nearby counties and into Illinois could not locate the suspect. On September 23, the suspect's body was located by a citizen behind a freight depot with a second gunshot wound that was determined to be self-inflicted.
Sheriff Dutcher had served with the Warren County Sheriff's Department for 3½ years, nearing the end of his second two-year term.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, two sons, parents, three sisters, and three brothers.
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.
Sheriff Dutcher gave the Warren County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Williamsport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Dutcher.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Avis is the only officer of Warren County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Avis is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Avis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Avis 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 1926, 7 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Avis was 41. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Avis had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Avis was 41. 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. Avis had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Avis was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Avis had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.7% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Saturdays: 15.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Warren County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, 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; .32 caliber, in 0.6% 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; .32 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Warren County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.