William Frederick Kieser

Indiana State Police — Indianapolis, IN

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch March 9, 1965

Age 37

Tour of Duty 11 yrs 11 mo

The Vigil Panel 100 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 45

Incident

Trooper William Kieser was shot and killed after responding to a call of a drunk and disorderly man near Ramsey in Harrison County. Trooper Kieser was off duty cleaning his cruiser when he heard a trooper from the Charlestown post dispatched to the call. Realizing he was closer, Trooper Kieser called in and advised he would respond. When he arrived on the scene the man opened fire before Trooper Kieser could exit his cruiser. Trooper Kieser returned fire but was struck in the hand and dropped his weapon. The suspect continued to fire and fatally wounded Trooper Kieser. The suspect, 46, had caused a disturbance when he blocked the driveway of a grocery store with his car. When he attempted to drive away Trooper Kieser stopped him. When apprehended three hours later by three state troopers he said, "I shot him because he had no business stopping me". He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He had a parole hearing in 1984. Result unknown. Trooper Kieser had served with the Indiana State Police for nearly seven years and was assigned to the Charlestown post. He also had served with the Tell City Police Department as a police officer for five years and was a US Marine Corps veteran.

Survivors

Trooper Kieser was survived by his wife and 4-year-old son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IN-01B4352A
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Trooper Kieser gave the Indiana State Police 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Indiana, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Indiana State Police

Location Indianapolis, IN

Platform Identity insp.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 9, 1965

Tour of Duty 11 yrs 11 mo

Age 37

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

William Frederick Kieser served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Trooper William Frederick Kieser 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 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.

Indiana State Police

of 46 officers

45.7% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious