Special Deputy Sheriff William Engel was shot and killed while he and another deputy were transporting two male prisoners to the Indiana Reformatory in Jeffersonville.

   As they traveled through New Albany and stopped at the interurban station, one prisoner suddenly drew a pistol he had obtained from his girlfriend and shot Special Deputy Engel in the back of the head.

   He was taken to St. Edward's Hospital in New Albany where he died the following day.

   The 25-year-old shooter, who had been sentenced to one to 14 years for auto theft, was later convicted of first-degree murder.

   He was sentenced to life in prison and in 1953, his sentence was commuted to time served by Governor George N. Craig. He was discharged from parole by Governor Roger D. Branigan in 1965.

   His 19-year-old girlfriend pleaded guilty to being an accessory and sentenced to two to 21 years in prison.

   Special Deputy Sheriff Engel, from Evansville, was survived by his wife and four children. He had been deputized by the sheriff that day to transport the prisoners.