Prev
Incident
Detective Dorian Rorex was shot and killed after a brief foot chase of a drug suspect at 9:30 pm. The detective was responding to complaints of drug activity with two other plainclothes detectives when they spotted a subject fitting the description of a drug dealer. As they pulled up next to him and identified themselves, the suspect began to run. Detective Rorex chased the suspect to a fence, and as he was climbing over, the suspect opened fire on him, striking him once in the chest and twice in the abdomen. He was pronounced dead approximately one hour later at the hospital. One of the other officers returned fire, hitting the suspect several times, paralyzing him. The suspect pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 50 years. He was paroled in 2021. Detective Rorex was a United States Marine veteran who had served in law enforcement for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his 1-year-old son, an unborn child, his parents, two sisters, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpvt8e9mv5x40d7dk29p- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Dorian. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Dorian is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Detective Rorex gave the Gary Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gary community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Dorian David Rorex served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gary Police Department has lost 15 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Dorian is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Dorian is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Dorian is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 1 officer at Gary Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1998, 2 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1998, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1998, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dorian was 27. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Gary Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 44.5; the middle age was 34.5. Dorian had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 13 years.
Dorian was 27. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dorian had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Dorian was 27. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Dorian had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dorian was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dorian had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 20% of these deaths at Gary Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 30%.
January holds 11% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 15 deaths at Gary Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 70% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Gary Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Dorian among them.
-
Edward Wilson Sep 9, 1913
-
Julius Gunther
Sep 16, 1921
-
Pearl Agnes Lanham
Mar 12, 1930
-
James L. Kelly
Mar 31, 1932
-
Walter Poturalski
Aug 8, 1935
-
Elza O'Dell
Jan 31, 1953
-
John Edward Moore
Aug 4, 1955
-
Michael G. Rusnak
Jun 11, 1966
-
George W. Lowe, Sr.
Jun 2, 1970
-
James R. Boyce, Jr.
Oct 5, 1974
-
George Yaros
Aug 11, 1981
-
Dorian David Rorex
Jan 15, 1998
-
Louis William Donald, Jr.
Aug 27, 2001
-
Benjamin Wilcher, Jr.
Aug 12, 2007
-
Jeffrey Brady Westerfield
Jul 6, 2014
Military Service
Dorian David Rorex served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Dorian David Rorex’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Gary Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
