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Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Sunday, September 17, 1967
03:40 am
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
727 Main Street, Clay City
Incident County:
Clay
Incident Township:
Harrison
Weapon Used:
Officer's handgun
Suspect Disposition:
Released in 1994

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Clay City Police Department

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Town Marshal Perry Wilson Haviland

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Town Marshal
Perry Wilson Haviland
Clay City Police Department
Sunday, September 17, 1967

Panel 15W, Line 7
Panel L14, Line 8

   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 Note

• Town Marshal Haviland is the third-oldest known officer killed in the line of duty in Indiana.



Personal Details

Age: 73
Law Enforcement Service:
5 years
Burial Place:
Maple Grove Cemetery, Clay City