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Incident
Special Deputy William Engel was shot and killed at the New Albany and Salem Railroad Station in New Albany while assisting with transporting prisoners to the Indiana Reformatory.
He was escorting a murder suspect when the man suddenly drew a pistol and shot him in the back of the head as they stepped off the train at the station at the intersection of Pearl Street and Oak Street. The man had obtained the pistol from a friend at the train station where the prisoners were being loaded.
The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1953 his sentence was commuted to time served to life making him eligible for parole.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Engel served with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Evansville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Engel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1919, 6 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 44. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 44. 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. William had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.1% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 13.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
