Town Marshal Perry Haviland was shot and killed with his own weapon while struggling with a burglary suspect in an alley behind the Crist Jewelry store.

   The man was on parole for four months upon being released on a three- to five-year sentence for second-degree burglary in Marion County.

   He shot Marshal Haviland three times with his .357-caliber revolver after beating him with his nightclub and flashlight before fleeing.

   His identity was known as a result of a license plate that Marshal Haviland had written down when he pulled his patrol car behind the suspect's vehicle.

   The 26-year-old suspect surrendered three days later to police in El Paso, Texas and was extradited. He subsequently pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, sentenced to life in prison and was released in 1994.

   Town Marshal Haviland was survived by his wife, son, three daughters and six grandchildren.

Historical Notes • Town Marshal Haviland is the third-oldest known officer killed in the line of duty in Indiana. • He is also the oldest town marshal with a line of duty death in Indiana.

Read more on our research at Honoring Our Fallen Town Marshals.