Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper William Rayner was shot and killed after he and a deputy stopped a vehicle at 3:00 am on Interstate 74 east of Greensburg in Decatur County. The officers were unaware that the car was stolen and that its occupants were parolees away without leave from a state detention home in Louisville, Kentucky, when they began to question them. As they asked the men to exit the vehicle, the passenger grabbed Trooper Rayner and opened fire, killing him. The deputy was able to return fire and kill one of the suspects. The other suspect was captured some time later after an extensive manhunt. Trooper Rayner had served with the Indiana State Police for over eight years and was assigned to the Versailles post. He was survived by his wife and three sons, one of whom was born after his death. In 2009, Interstate 74 near the 138-mile marker in Decatur County was dedicated the Trooper William Rayner Memorial Highway in his honor.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons, one of whom was born after his death.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-216B7121- 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.
Trooper Rayner gave the Indiana State Police 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Indiana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Rayner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper William R. Rayner 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 Indiana State Police, 21 of 46 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William R. Rayner's cause is highlighted.
How William R. Rayner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William R. Rayner is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William R. Rayner was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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