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Incident
Patrolman James Wittchen was checking on a report of a burglary in progress and was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer who mistook him for an armed burglar in the night shadows.
Patrolman Wittchen had served with the Schererville Police Department for 3½ years.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wittchen gave the Schererville Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Schererville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wittchen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Schererville Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 1 officer in IN was lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1973, 90 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1973, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 32. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. James had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
James was 32. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 32. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Schererville Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Schererville Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Schererville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
