Patrolman Edward Blakely was shot and killed while investigating a disabled vehicle by a subject whom he was unaware of being a murder suspect.

   The suspect had shot and wounded a man outside a Gary tavern and stole his car. When the car broke down he killed an East Gary resident outside his home and stole his car, which had a shotgun in the trunk. After Patrolman Blakely was called to investigate a vehicle stuck in a ditch, he was later found shot to death beside the stolen vehicle.

   The 20-year-old male was captured in Gary a few hours later after crashing Patrolman Blakely's patrol car and charged with first-degree murder. He was not found competent to stand trial until 1968 when he was found guilty and sentenced to death. In 1972, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered a new trial upon appeal. He was subsequently found guilty of second-degree murder, sentenced to life in prison and has since been released.

   Patrolman Blakely had previously served with the Chesterton Police Department for two years and the Porter Police Department for one year. He was survived by his wife, daughter, four grandchildren, three brothers, sister and parents. One of his brothers was serving as the Porter town marshal.