Trooper Robert Lather was killed when his cruiser was struck by a car that he and a Howard County deputy sheriff were trying to stop south of Grissom Air Force Base.

   The deputy had called for assistance in stopping the vehicle, which was traveling northbound at over 95 mph. Trooper Lather was in front of the vehicle attempting to slow it when the car struck the rear of his cruiser, causing it to crash.

   A 17-year-old male driver was later convicted of reckless homicide and received a five-year sentence, which was suspended.

   Trooper Lather, from Greentown, was assigned to the Peru post and previously served as an officer with the Indiana University Police Department in Bloomington. He was survived by his wife, 2-year-old son, 6-month-old daughter, two sisters and grandmother.