Harold Lee "Sonny" Rogers

Terre Haute Police Department — Terre Haute, IN

Felonious

End of Watch June 16, 1984

Age 46

Tour of Duty 21 yrs

The Vigil Panel 128 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 13

Incident

Detective Harold Rogers was shot and killed during a disturbance at the Wagon Wheel Night Club at 3rd and Walnut streets. Detective Rogers was off duty playing in a band when the suspect brandished a handgun and threatened patrons. Pulling out his own weapon, Detective Rogers instructed everyone to get down and shots were exchanged. Detective Rogers was shot once in the head and killed instantly. The suspect, a six-time convicted felon, was sentenced to 90 years in prison. Detective Rogers had served with the Terre Haute Police Department for 21 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, sons, daughter and grandchildren.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IN-52860D21
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

21 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Rogers gave the Terre Haute Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Terre Haute community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Rogers.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Terre Haute Police Department

Location Terre Haute, IN

Platform Identity thpd.vigo.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 16, 1984

Tour of Duty 21 yrs

Age 46

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .44 caliber

Offender Sentenced to 90 years

Detective Harold Lee "Sonny" Rogers 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 Terre Haute Police Department, 12 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.

Terre Haute Police Department

of 14 officers

85.7% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious