Lewis Keller

South Bend Police Dept. — South Bend, IN

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch February 25, 1898

Age 59

Tour of Duty 33 yrs

The Vigil Panel 14 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

Incident

Patrolman Lewis Keller was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary in progress at a cigar store while walking his beat and checking buildings at 11:35 p.m. He spotted an open door, and as he entered the business, a shot was fired at him. He returned fire, and in the ensuing shootout, both he and one of the suspects were mortally wounded. Four other suspects were apprehended. One suspect was sentenced to life in prison in 1898. In 1904 and 1917, he attempted to escape. Patrolman Keller was a Civil War veteran, serving with the 21st Indiana Battery. Returning from war, he served in law enforcement as a deputy marshal and then served with the South Bend Police Department for 11 years. He was survived by his wife and two sons. His brother had served with the South Bend Police Department, and one of his sons served with the Metropolitan Police Department.

Survivors

survivors.org

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IN-E0D2B97A
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.
Patrolman Keller gave the South Bend Police Department 33 years.
Thank you for your service to the South Bend 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

Department South Bend Police Dept.

Location South Bend, IN

Platform Identity sbpd.stjoseph.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 25, 1898

Tour of Duty 33 yrs

Age 59

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed; Life in prison

Military Service

Lewis Keller served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Lewis Keller 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 South Bend Police Dept., 11 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.3% of this agency's fallen.

South Bend Police Dept.

of 15 officers

73.3% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious