Master Trooper
David Edward Rich
Indiana State Police
Thursday, July 5, 2007

Age: 41
Served: 17 years, 7 months
Badge #:
Panel 2E, Line 26
Panel L6, Line 11 (2008)

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Thursday, July 5, 2007
03:55 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
U.S. 24 one-half mile east of State Road 115 near Wabash
Incident County:
Wabash
Incident Township:
Noble
Weapon Used:
Shotgun
Suspect Disposition:
Died by suicide
Burial Place:
Friends Cemetery, Wabash

Share this Memorial
   

   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.

Memorial Tribute

• In 2008, a Memorial Mile was designated on U.S. 24 on the bypass in Wabash in his honor.



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Master Trooper David Edward Rich - Indiana State Police - INLEM.org