Roll of Honor
Incident
Master Trooper David Rich was shot and killed while investigating an apparently stranded vehicle on U.S. 24 near State Road 115, one mile west of Wabash in Wabash County.
Master Trooper Rich, who was on his way home in plainclothes and in an unmarked squad car, stopped to help a motorist he believed was stranded at about 4:00 pm. Master Trooper Rich was not aware the man was driving an SUV 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 suspect reloaded the shotgun and then committed suicide.
Master Trooper Rich had served with the Indiana State Police for over 17½ years and 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 serves as a captain with the Indiana State Police. His father is a retired Indiana State Police trooper and former two-term Miami County sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 7-year-old daughter, twin 4-year-old sons, parents, sister, and brother, who serves as a captain with the Indiana State Police.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-B2ADCFD3- 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 David. Claim this record.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Master Trooper Rich gave the Indiana State Police 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Indiana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Master Trooper Rich.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Master Trooper David Edward Rich is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 61.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Indiana State Police, 21 of 46 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Edward Rich's cause is highlighted.
How David Edward Rich Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Edward Rich is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Edward Rich was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
45 officers from Indiana State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
