Trooper
William Frederick Kieser
Indiana State Police
Tuesday, March 9, 1965
Age: 37
Served: 11 years, 11 months
Panel 51W, Line 9
Panel L24, Line 4
Indiana State Police

Incident Details

Cause of Death
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident
Tuesday, March 9, 1965
05:50 pm
Incident to Death Duration
Same day
Incident Location
State Road 64 and Corydon Ramsey Road NW, Ramsey
Incident County
Harrison
Incident Township
Jackson
Weapon Used
16-gauge shotgun
Suspect Disposition
Died in prison
Burial Place
Saint Marys Cemetery, Tell City
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   Trooper William Kieser was shot and killed after responding to a call of a drunk and disorderly man at Richardson's Grocery Store in Ramsey.

   He was off duty cleaning his cruiser when he heard a trooper from the Charlestown post dispatched to the call. Realizing he was closer, Trooper Kieser called in and advised he would respond.

   When he arrived on the scene the man opened fire before Trooper Kieser could exit his cruiser. Trooper Kieser returned fire but was struck in the hand and dropped his weapon. The suspect continued to fire and fatally wounded Trooper Kieser.

   The 45-year-old suspect was subsequently charged with first-degree murder. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison where he died while incarcerated in 1997.

   Trooper Kieser, from Tell City, was assigned to the Charlestown post. He also had served with the Tell City Police Department as a police officer for five years. Trooper Kieser was survived by his wife and 4-year-old son.

Military Service


United States Marine Corps
World War II
Private First Class (PFC) ▪ 1946–1948



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