Sergeant Ronald Lampe was shot and killed while conducting a narcotics raid at a residence in New Castle.

   Two detectives went to the front door and attempted to gain entry by claiming they were there for a party. The suspect became nervous and refused to open the door.

   They informed Sergeant Lampe who decided to continue with the raid and proceeded to the back door with two officers while three other officers covered the front door.

   When they knocked on the rear door and did not receive an answer, they identified themselves before entering the dark house. The suspect opened fire with a rifle, striking one of the deputies in the chest, seriously wounding him.

   Sergeant Lampe was then struck several times and died of his chest wounds at Henry County Memorial Hospital.

   The 19-year-old suspect was charged with murder, attempted murder and battery. In a change of venue to Rush County, he claimed that he fired his weapon in self-defense.

   At trial, the judge granted a defense motion for a directed verdict of acquittal, finding the forced entry into the home was illegal and the state failed to prove the man did not shoot at the officers in self-defense.

   Sergeant Lampe, from New Castle, was survived by his son, two stepsons and mother.