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Incident
Sheriff John Peper was killed in an automobile crash on U.S. 52, near Lebanon, as he and a deputy responded to the scene of another accident.
Their vehicle went out of control on the sleet-covered roadway and flipped over. Sheriff Peper suffered fatal injuries when he was thrown into the back seat.
Sheriff Peper had served with the Boone County Sheriff's Office for only five weeks. He was survived by his wife, who was appointed as sheriff to serve the remainder of her husband's term. She was the first female sheriff of Boone County and the third female to serve as a sheriff in the state of Indiana.
In 2010, U.S. 52, four miles north of Lebanon in Boone County, was dedicated the Sheriff John H. Peper Highway in his honor.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, who was appointed as sheriff to serve the remainder of her husband's term.
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.
Sheriff Peper served with the Boone County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lebanon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Peper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Boone County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 3 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1935, 99 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1935, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 38. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. John had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
John was 38. 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. John had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 38. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Thursdays: 8.6%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Boone County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Boone County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Boone County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
