Deputy Sheriff William Sweem, Parke County Sheriff's Department, Indiana

Deputy Sheriff William Sweem

Parke County Sheriff's Department, Indiana

End of Watch Saturday, April 25, 1896

William Sweem

Deputy William Sweem and Sheriff William Mull were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had just murdered the family who lived next door. The suspect attacked the female neighbor with an axe and then shot and killed her two young children before walking into town. Sheriff Mull and Deputy Sweem located the man inside a local bank and confronted him. The suspect then shot and killed both before fleeing the scene. The man committed suicide later in the afternoon when he was surrounded by a posse.

Deputy Sweem had been appointed a jail guard by Sheriff Mull only two days before his murder. He was survived by his wife and three children.

Bio

Age 36
Tour 2 days
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Comitted suicide

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Most Recent Reflection

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Your heroism and service is honored today on the 122nd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service.

My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. He was shot twice when ambushed on April 23rd when he was on a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, 99 years after you were killed.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

April 25, 2018