Elwood Police Department, Indiana
End of Watch Tuesday, July 5, 1932
Add to My HeroesWillard S. Van Horn
Patrolman Willard Van Horn was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect in a home at 1043 N 14th Street.
The suspect and another man had robbed a service station in Muncie and had abducted the attendant. Muncie detectives learned that the suspects may have gone to Elwood and went to the city to investigate.
One of the Muncie detectives accompanied Patrolman Van Horn and another patrolman to a home where they believed one of the suspects was hiding. The Muncie detective went to the front door and the two Elwood patrolmen went to the back door. As the patrolmen entered the house the suspect immediately opened fire on them, striking Patrolman Van Horn. Although mortally wounded, Patrolman Van Horn was able to return fire and shot the suspect. The man died of his wounds the following day. The second suspect was arrested and sentenced to 25 years in prison for his part in the original robbery.
Patrolman Van Horn was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Elwood Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and three children.
Bio
- Age 44
- Tour 3 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsPatrolman Willard S. Van Horn will always be remembered.
Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"
August 1, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Paul Martin
Mercer County Sheriff's Office, ND
EOW: December 6, 2023

Police Officer Paul Tracey
Waltham Police Department, MA
EOW: December 6, 2023

Trooper Alberto Felix
Nevada Department of Public Safety - Nevada Highway Patrol, NV
EOW: November 30, 2023

Sergeant Michael Abbate
Nevada Department of Public Safety - Nevada Highway Patrol, NV
EOW: November 30, 2023

Sergeant Michael Moran
Cortez Police Department, CO
EOW: November 29, 2023

Detective James Michael Lett
Benton Police Department, AR
EOW: November 8, 2023

Border Patrol Agent Freddy Ortiz
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: November 14, 2023

Correctional Officer III Jovian Motley
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: November 13, 2023

Sergeant Jon Arden Jenson
Fort Worth Police Department, TX
EOW: October 28, 2023