Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Wayne Peters was shot and killed when he went to the Tower Motel, on Route 44, one mile south of Rushville, at the request of the owner. Upon entering the motel's office at 7:10 p.m., the owner shot Deputy Peters twice in the chest before he could draw his weapon. The sheriff, who arrived after Deputy Peters, was shot twice. When he returned fire, the suspect fled. Responding officers were able to apprehend the suspect. The suspect was upset that he had been awakened by Deputy Peters and the FBI when they arrested one of the guests. The man was sentenced to 30 years in prison and has since died. Deputy Peters was a United States Navy WWII and Korean War veteran and had served with the Rush County Sheriff's Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by a wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-BB095094- 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 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.
Deputy Sheriff Peters gave the Rush County Sheriff's Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rushville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Wayne H. Peters served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Wayne H. Peters 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 Rush County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wayne H. Peters's cause is highlighted.
How Wayne H. Peters Compares
Offender Outcome
Deceased
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wayne H. Peters is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wayne H. Peters was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rush County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
