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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Paul Prater was killed when he was struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop on Indiana 671, near County Road 150 north of Redkey. He had stopped a van for speeding and as he stood by the driver's side of the van, a northbound vehicle struck him, killing him instantly. The driver was charged with reckless homicide. Deputy Prater had served with the Jay County Sheriff's Office for 3½ years.
Survivors
Survivor in law
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Prater gave the Jay County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Prater.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Paul is the only officer of Jay County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Paul is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Paul is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Paul is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 3 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1983, 74 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1983, 92 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Paul was 28. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Paul was 28. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 28. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Tuesdays: 23.2%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jay County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Jay County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.