Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Donald Sheppard was shot and killed during a traffic stop at 9:50 am on Ridge Road near Highland Street. Officer Sheppard, while transporting two other officers back from checking on an impounded car, made a traffic stop on a vehicle. The officers were unaware that the driver was a convicted rapist who had escaped from the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City two hours earlier. The suspect opened fire on the officers, killing Officer Sheppard, but was shot and wounded by one of the other officers. The suspect was arrested and sentenced to life in prison, where he died. Officer Sheppard had served with the Highland Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-BEAFD990- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Sheppard gave the Highland Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Highland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Sheppard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Donald R. Sheppard is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Highland Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald R. Sheppard's cause is highlighted.
How Donald R. Sheppard Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald R. Sheppard is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald R. Sheppard was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Highland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
