Special Deputy William H. Engel

William H. Engel

Special Deputy William Engel was shot and killed while assisting with transporting prisoners to the Indiana Reformatory.

Special Deputy Engel was escorting a murder suspect when the suspect suddenly drew a pistol and shot him in the back of the head. The suspect 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 1953 his sentence was commuted to time served to life making him eligible for parole.

Special Deputy Engel had served with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Department for only one day. He was survived by his wife and four children.