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Incident
Officer Norman Bretz was killed in a single vehicle crash while performing alcohol beverage permit inspections in Warrick County.
His vehicle left the roadway on a curve on Indiana 161, approximately seven miles southeast of Boonville, and struck a utility pole.
Officer Bretz had served with the Indiana State Excise Police for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Officer Bretz gave the Indiana State Excise Police 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Bretz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Norman is the only officer of Indiana State Excise Police remembered here.
Norman is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Norman is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Norman is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1960, 1 officer in IN was lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1960, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1960, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Norman was 37. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Norman had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Norman was 37. 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. Norman had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Norman was 37. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Norman had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Tuesdays: 23.2%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Indiana State Excise Police.
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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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