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Incident
Officer Donald Sheppard was shot and killed during a traffic stop at 9:50 am on Ridge Road near Highland Street. Officer Sheppard, while transporting two other officers back from checking on an impounded car, made a traffic stop on a vehicle. The officers were unaware that the driver was a convicted rapist who had escaped from the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City two hours earlier. The suspect opened fire on the officers, killing Officer Sheppard, but was shot and wounded by one of the other officers. The suspect was arrested and sentenced to life in prison, where he died. Officer Sheppard had served with the Highland Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Officer Sheppard gave the Highland Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Highland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Sheppard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Highland Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Donald is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Donald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donald 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 1971, 4 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donald was 34. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Donald was 34. 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. Donald had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 7.4% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Fridays: 11%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Highland Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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, in 26.8% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Highland Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Highland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
