Paul A. Kortepeter

Indianapolis Police Dept. — Indianapolis, IN

Felonious

End of Watch January 19, 1983

Age 39

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

The Vigil Panel 126 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 58

Incident

Officer Paul Kortepeter was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by two fleeing armed robbery suspects. Officer Kortepeter was attempting to intercept and assist two state troopers and a deputy in pursuit of the suspects when he was struck near the intersection of Maywood Road and South Tibbs Avenue in Indianapolis. The 31-year-old driver was convicted of murder and sentenced to 40 years, and he received an additional 30 years for being a habitual felon. The other suspect was convicted of armed robbery. The other charges were dropped. Officer Kortepeter had served with the Indianapolis Police Department for 13 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his 13-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IN-6A914FE6
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 Kortepeter gave the Indianapolis Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Kortepeter.

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

Agency

Department Indianapolis Police Dept.

Location Indianapolis, IN

Platform Identity ipd.marion.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 19, 1983

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile

Offender Sentenced to 70 years

Officer Paul A. Kortepeter 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 Indianapolis Police Dept., 38 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.4% of this agency's fallen.

Indianapolis Police Dept.

of 59 officers

64.4% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious