Incident Details
Cause of Death:Deputy William Cox and Deputy John Gardner were shot while attempting to arrest two brothers for robbery on 2nd Avenue, two miles east of Jasper.
During the arrest, the suspects opened fire on both deputies, mortally wounding Deputy Gardner who died the following day. Deputy Cox suffered severe wounds and remained paralyzed until his death two years later.
The 30- and 35-year-old suspects fled the scene but were arrested 16 years later in Mount Vernon, Illinois. One brother was shot and killed, while the other was arrested and later convicted of murder for killing both deputies.
Deputy Cox was survived by his wife and 12-year-old son. He had been deputized that day for the arrest.
Historical Note • Deputy Cox is one of four known officers killed in the line of duty in Indiana who served only one day. |