Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Rob Pitts was shot and killed while conducting a homicide investigation at the Garder Quarter Apartments on Linwood Court.
Investigators were following up on leads from a homicide that occurred earlier in the day. As Officer Pitts and other detectives approached the homicide suspect's apartment the man opened fire on them, fatally wounding Officer Pitts. Officer Pitts was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The suspect who shot Officer Pitts was found shot and killed from a possible self-inflicted wound at his apartment after barricading himself inside. The suspect's girlfriend was later charged since she confessed knowing he was armed, despite initially telling officers she didn't know. She was given a 1-year sentence followed by probation in November 2019.
Officer Pitts had served with the Terre Haute Police Department for 16 years and prior to that, he was a six-year veteran of the Sullivan City Police Department.
He is survived by his daughter, two sons, his sister and brother, his parents, and by his grandmother and great-grandmother.
Survivors
He is survived by his daughter, two sons, his sister and brother, his parents, and by his grandmother and great-grandmother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-9EF16C7A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Pitts gave the Terre Haute Police Department 22 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, Police Officer Pitts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Robert Shawn Pitts 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 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Shawn Pitts's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Shawn Pitts Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Shawn Pitts is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Shawn Pitts was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Terre Haute Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
