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William R. Rayner
Agency patch
Trooper

William R. Rayner

Indiana State Police — Indianapolis, IN
Felonious
United States flag Indiana flag
End of Watch December 18, 1966
Age 30
Tour of Duty 8 yrs 3 mo
The Vigil Panel 102 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 45

Incident

Trooper William Rayner was shot and killed after he and a deputy stopped a vehicle at 3:00 am on Interstate 74 east of Greensburg in Decatur County. The officers were unaware that the car was stolen and that its occupants were parolees away without leave from a state detention home in Louisville, Kentucky, when they began to question them. As they asked the men to exit the vehicle, the passenger grabbed Trooper Rayner and opened fire, killing him. The deputy was able to return fire and kill one of the suspects. The other suspect was captured some time later after an extensive manhunt. Trooper Rayner had served with the Indiana State Police for over eight years and was assigned to the Versailles post. He was survived by his wife and three sons, one of whom was born after his death. In 2009, Interstate 74 near the 138-mile marker in Decatur County was dedicated the Trooper William Rayner Memorial Highway in his honor.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three sons, one of whom was born after his death.

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.
Trooper Rayner gave the Indiana State Police 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Indiana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Rayner.

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

Agency

Department Indiana State Police
Type State Police
Location Indianapolis, IN
Platform Identity insp.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 18, 1966
Tour of Duty 8 yrs 3 mo
Age 30
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 30. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 8.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Indiana State Police has 46 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Trooper William R. Rayner

Indiana State Police · End of Watch December 18, 1966

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E

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