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Incident
Sergeant Daniel Starnes succumbed to gunshot wounds suffered one month earlier when he was involved in a shootout during a traffic stop.
Sergeant Starnes, the agency's warrant officer, had stopped a suspect who had an outstanding warrant at Shelton Road and Wilbur Road. While Sergeant Starnes and the driver were outside of their vehicles, shots were exchanged, and Sergeant Starnes was struck in the chest four times by the suspect's .45-caliber handgun. Sergeant Starnes was not wearing a bullet-resistant vest at the time.
The suspect then turned and fired into the patrol car, striking Sergeant Starnes' son, who was participating in a ride-along for a college project. Sergeant Starnes was able to return fire, striking the suspect seven times and wounding him. The son was then able to retrieve the service shotgun from the trunk of the patrol car, and he held the suspect at gunpoint until other units arrived. The incident happened only 15 minutes after Sergeant Starnes reported for duty and was within eyesight of his home. Sergeant Starnes died from his wounds one month later due to complications from an infection at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
The subject was arrested, convicted of murder, and subsequently sentenced to death. On June 2nd, 2015, a federal appeals court overturned the death sentence because the subject claimed to be mentally ill.
Sergeant Starnes had served with the Morgan County Sheriff's Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons, both of whom served with the Indiana State Police as troopers, having graduated from the 59th and 65th ISP Recruit Academies.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Starnes gave the Morgan County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Martinsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Starnes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Morgan County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Daniel is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 2 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 2001, 158 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2001, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Daniel was 46. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Daniel was 46. 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. Daniel had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Tuesdays: 15.8%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Morgan County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Morgan County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Daniel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Morgan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
