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Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Tuesday, November 3, 1914
Incident to Death Duration:
10 days
Incident Location:
15th and Ash streets, Terre Haute
Incident County:
Vigo
Incident Township:
Harrison
Weapon Used:
Pistol
Suspect Disposition:
Charges dismissed

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Vigo County Sheriff's Department

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Deputy Sheriff Peter J. Feiler

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Deputy Sheriff
Peter J. Feiler
Vigo County Sheriff's Department
Friday, November 13, 1914

Panel 38W, Line 5
Panel L16, Line 9

   Deputy Sheriff Peter Feiler died from a gunshot wound he suffered 10 days earlier when he was shot while investigating reports of an armed man on Election Day.

   As he approached the man at the polling place in Precinct C of the Seventh Ward, the suspect fired his pistol without removing it from his coat pocket, striking Deputy Feiler in the abdomen.

   He struggled with the suspect and was able to take him into custody before being transported to St. Anthony's Hospital in Terre Haute where he died 10 days later.

   The 34-year-old suspect, who became the elected sheriff, was charged with first-degree murder. He was later found to have killed Deputy Feiler in self-defense and the charges were dismissed.

   Deputy Sheriff Feiler, from Terre Haute, was survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, four sisters and two brothers.

Historical Note

• This line of duty death incident is one of four in which the offender was a law enforcement officer.


Personal Details

Age: 33
Law Enforcement Service:
2 years
Burial Place:
Woodlawn Cemetery, Terre Haute