Deputy Sheriff George V. Darnell, 60, was killed on December 7, 1981, while responding to a report of suspicious activity at a bulk fuel storage plant on U.S. 67 near Monmouth, Illinois. His body was found less than ten feet from his police cruiser.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of David Wolfbrandt, who was charged with murder, armed robbery, conspiracy and armed violence. Wolfbrandt was convicted by a jury and sentenced to 70 years in prison; due to the sentencing laws then in effect, he was released on parole in November 2017, despite opposition from law enforcement and Darnell’s family. Deputy Darnell was a World War II Army veteran and had served ten years with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department plus seven years with the Sheriff’s Auxiliary. He was survived by his wife and four children. A section of Highway 67 near the shooting was named in his honor in 2014.