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James Dallas Pitzer
Incident
Conservation Officer James Pitzer was shot and killed while investigating two men who were illegally hunting rabbits in Jay County. One of the men was a recent parolee, 53, who served 31 years for murder, and feared he would be sent back to prison, shot and killed Conservation Officer Pitzer, who died instantly from a single shotgun blast which struck him in the head. There was no indication of a robbery, but Conservation Officer Pitzer's .38-caliber service revolver had been ripped from its holster and was not found at the scene. Officer Pitzer had written the men's names on his notepad which led to the arrest of the suspect and his 18-year-old companion the next day. The killer, in 1926 when 18, was convicted of killing his employer and sentenced to life. A few years later he escaped from Indiana State Prison and eluded police for five years before being captured in Covington, Kentucky. He was pardoned by Governor Harold W. Handley in 1957. On February 13, 1961, he was convicted of Officer Pitzer's murder and sentenced to life. He died of a heart attack in prison on October 16, 1972. Conservation Officer Pitzer had served with the Indiana Department of Conservation for 20 years, and was the first conservation officer killed in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife and two children. The Indiana Division of Natural Resources - Division of Law Enforcement's highest commendation award is named the Pitzer Award in honor Officer Pitzer and is awarded annually.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Conservation Officer Pitzer gave the Indiana Department of Conservation 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Conservation Officer Pitzer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Indiana Department of Natural Resources has lost 7 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1961, 7 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 54. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 54. 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. James had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 54. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 11% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Sundays: 17.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 14.3% of all 7 deaths at Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 7.1% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Indiana Department of Natural Resources has 7 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Indiana Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
