Roll of Honor
Incident
Corporal Thomas Roberts and Patrolman Bryan Verkler were shot and killed after they responded to a call of shots being fired on Battell Street in Mishawaka.
The suspect had a dispute with a neighbor, and during the dispute, he fired several rounds into the air, prompting residents to call the police. When Corporal Roberts and Patrolman Verkler arrived around 1:00 a.m., they were led to a house on Sarah Street where the suspect was hiding.
The officers attempted to lure the suspect out. When the suspect exited the house, he opened fire on the officers, striking them both. A third officer was able to return fire and shot the suspect once. Corporal Roberts died at the scene, and Patrolman Verkler was transported to a local hospital, where he died two hours later during surgery.
The suspect subsequently committed suicide.
Corporal Roberts had served with the Mishawaka Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-4ED8DC09- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Roberts gave the Mishawaka Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mishawaka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Roberts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corporal Thomas Roberts 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 Mishawaka Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Roberts's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Roberts Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Roberts is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Roberts was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Mishawaka Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
