Trooper
Robert Otto Lietzan
Indiana State Police
Sunday, March 30, 1969

Age: 31
Served: 7 years, 7 months
Badge #:
Panel 19W, Line 14
Panel L18, Line 4

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Sunday, March 30, 1969
01:00 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
Near Metamora
Incident County:
Franklin
Incident Township:
Salt Creek
Weapon Used:
Rifle
Suspect Disposition:
Released in 1993
Burial Place:
Maple Grove Cemetery, Brookville

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   Trooper Robert Lietzan was shot and killed after responding to a call of a mentally deranged subject shooting around a camping area three miles west of Metamora.

   As he and sheriff's deputies arrived they found a man in a barricaded position in a wooded area. While attempting to get the suspect to surrender, he opened fire with a rifle, fatally striking Trooper Lietzan in the head before being taken into custody.

   Trooper Lietzan was transported to Rush Memorial Hospital in Rushville where he was dead on arrival.

   The 24-year-old suspect was later convicted of second-degree murder in a death penalty case and sentenced to life. He was released from prison in 1993.

   Trooper Lietzan, from Westville, was assigned to the Connersville post. He was survived by his wife, 4-year-old daughter, mother and two brothers.

Military Service


United States Navy



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