Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Sergeant Phillip Hochstetler was shot and killed while interviewing a suspect about a recent burglary. The suspect agreed to surrender his weapons to Detective Sergeant Hochstetler. At the last moment, the suspect turned one of the weapons on the officer. Detective Sergeant Hochstetler was shot in the throat and head. The suspect then murdered his two small children before fleeing the home. Two days later, the suspect was recognized when he drove past the crime scene. The officers chased him into downtown Warsaw. When the suspect fired upon the officers, they returned fire. The suspect was shot and killed by Warsaw police officers. Detective Sergeant Hochstetler had served with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department for four years and had previously served with the Nappanee Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-666C85AC- 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.
Detective Sergeant Hochstetler gave the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Warsaw community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Hochstetler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant Phillip D. Hochstetler 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 Kosciusko County Sheriff's Dept., 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Phillip D. Hochstetler's cause is highlighted.
How Phillip D. Hochstetler Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Phillip D. Hochstetler is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Phillip D. Hochstetler was killed by handgun; mac-10.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kosciusko County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
