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Incident
Sergeant Ronald Lampe was shot and killed while attempting to serve a narcotics warrant on a home with five other officers. Two plainclothes officers went to the front door and attempted to gain entry by claiming they were there for a party that was going on. The suspect was nervous and did not let the officers in. They walked back down the street and informed Sergeant Lampe of the situation. Sergeant Lampe decided to continue with the warrant service and proceeded to the back door with two officers while three other officers went to the front door. The officers in the back knocked on the door but did not receive an answer. They then entered the dark house and identified themselves as officers. While they searched the house the suspect opened fire with a .22-caliber rifle, striking one of the officers in the chest, wounding him. Sergeant Lampe was also struck several times and died of his wounds. The suspect was apprehended but was acquitted during trial after claiming he did not hear the knock on the door or the officers announcing themselves and that he fired in self-defense. Sergeant Lampe had served with the Henry County Sheriff's Department for 6½ years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Lampe gave the Henry County Sheriff's Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Castle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Lampe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ronald is the only officer of Henry County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Ronald is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 4 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ronald was 40. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ronald had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ronald was 40. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ronald had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronald was 40. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ronald had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 11% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Henry County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 57-W
What is kept
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