Lake County Sheriff's Department, Indiana
End of Watch Monday, January 16, 1933
Add to My HeroesRoy F. "Doc" Holley
Sheriff Roy Holley was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a farmer who had shot and killed a neighboring farmer in Ross Township.
The neighbor was cutting down a tree, and the suspect mistakenly thought the tree was on his property. Sheriff Holley and four deputies entered the man's home and told him he was under arrest. The suspect ran up the stairs with the officers in pursuit. As Sheriff Holley neared the top, the man turned and fired a shotgun, striking Sheriff Holley twice.
The deputies grabbed the sheriff and retreated to a back porch. As they attempted to move him to the vehicle, the man came out and opened fire on them a second time, wounding three deputies. The suspect eventually committed suicide after a four-hour shootout with authorities in which four Gary police officers were wounded.
Sheriff Holley had served with the Lake County Sheriff's Department for four years, having just begun serving his second term as the 31st sheriff of Lake County. He was survived by his wife, who was appointed sheriff to serve the remainder of her husband's term, and twin 16-year-old daughters. Sheriff Holley's wife was the second female to serve as a sheriff in the state of Indiana.
Sheriff Holley is buried in Beaver City Cemetery, Newton County, Indiana.
Bio
- Age 43
- Tour 4 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Shotgun
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsSheriff Holley,
On today, the 90th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Lake County.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
January 16, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Carl Douglas Kimball
St. Francisville Police Department, LA
EOW: January 12, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 13, 2023

Court Services Officer Curtis Matthew Worland
Alaska State Troopers, AK
EOW: December 13, 2022

Chief of Police Justin McIntire
Brackenridge Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: January 2, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Isaiah Cordero
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: December 29, 2022

Corporal Ray Charles Hamilton
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: December 24, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Corey D. McElroy
Garrett County Sheriff's Office, MD
EOW: December 21, 2022

Detective Paul Daniel Newell
Benton County Sheriff's Office, AR
EOW: December 17, 2022

Chief of Police Joe Carey
Brodnax Police Department, VA
EOW: December 16, 2022