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Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Saturday, October 27, 1888
03:30 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
Main Street near Division Street, Elkhart
Incident County:
Elkhart
Incident Township:
Concord
Weapon Used:
.38-caliber handgun
Suspect Disposition:
Pardoned in 1893

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Elkhart Police Department

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Officer Willard Levi Burton

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Officer
Willard Levi Burton
Elkhart Police Department
Saturday, October 27, 1888

Panel 15E, Line 23
Panel L15, Line 10

   Officer Willard Burton was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for assault with intent to kill the mayor.

   The suspect, a merchant policeman, was intoxicated when he got into an argument with the mayor the previous day and assaulted him.

   When he was approached on the street by officers, he produced a revolver and began shooting. Officer Burton was struck in the right eye, killing him instantly.

   A marshal and a constable, who were assisting to arrest him, took the man into custody. The suspect was subsequently convicted of manslaughter, sentenced to three years in prison and later pardoned in 1893.

   Officer Burton was survived by his wife and three stepchildren.

Personal Details

Age: 36
Law Enforcement Service:
2 years
Burial Place:
Grace Lawn Cemetery, Elkhart