Lieutenant Robert Atwell died from a gunshot wound he suffered five days earlier after responding to a domestic dispute in the Pondarosa Mobile Home Court in Indianapolis.

   He was responding to assist one of his brothers, a corporal, assigned to the call. He was first to arrive and as he exited his patrol car, was shot in the head by the husband who was at the trailer of his estranged wife and 4-year-old daughter.

   Lieutenant Atwell was transported to Marion County General Hospital where he died without regaining consciousness five days later. An Indianapolis police officer was also wounded during the incident.

   The 33-year-old suspect was killed in the exchange of gunfire, but it was undetermined whether he was shot by responding officers or if his head wound was self-inflicted. 

   Lieutenant Atwell, from Indianapolis, was survived by his wife, two daughters, six brothers, two sisters and mother. Two of his brothers served with the Marion County Sheriff's Department.

The responsibilities of the Marion County Sheriff's Department – Law Enforcement Division (1822–2006) are now under the jurisdiction of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.