City Marshal Gustav Schwacke was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call.

   The suspect, who was under the influence of alcohol, had been quarreling with his wife and as the dispute escalated, he attempted to kill her with a knife. As she was fleeing toward a neighbor's house, a passer-by went to summon Marshal Schwacke in town.

   When Marshal Schwacke arrived to question the suspect, he was found sitting in his front yard, armed with a shotgun. As he approached further, the suspect took aim and shot Marshal Schwacke in the head and chest, killing him instantly.

   The 53-year-old suspect, a former state prison guard, went into his residence and then escaped out of the rear door towards a creek. Knowing that a posse was in pursuit, the suspect died by suicide with the same shotgun used to kill Marshal Schwacke.

   City Marshal Schwacke was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, two brothers and sister. His uncle had served as the first town marshal of North Vernon upon its incorporation in 1867 and before it became a city in 1875. He later served two, two-year terms as sheriff of Jennings County.

Historical Note City marshals existed by state law, from 1883 until its repeal in 1981, in any city at the time with a population of less than 10,000. North Vernon incorporated as a city in 1875 and had a population of 2,823 in the 1900 U.S. census.