Master Trooper David Rich was shot and killed while assisting an apparent stranded motorist on eastbound U.S. 24 one-half mile east of State Road 115 near Wabash.

   He was on his way home in plainclothes and in an unmarked squad car when he stopped to help a motorist he believed was stranded. Master Trooper Rich was not aware the man was driving a sport utility vehicle that his father had reported stolen the previous day from their home in Gaylord, Michigan.

   Upon approaching the vehicle, the suspect opened fire with a shotgun through the driver's window, striking Master Trooper Rich in the chest who was not wearing a bullet-resistant vest, but had his service weapon drawn.

   The 21-year-old suspect reloaded his shotgun and then died by suicide.

   Master Trooper Rich, from Wabash, was assigned to the Peru post as a detective. He was survived by his wife, 7-year-old daughter, twin 4-year-old sons, parents, sister and brother, who served as a captain with the Indiana State Police. His father is a retired Indiana State Police trooper and former two-term Miami County sheriff.