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Incident
Police Officer Rob Pitts was shot and killed while conducting a homicide investigation at the Garder Quarter Apartments on Linwood Court.
Investigators were following up on leads from a homicide that occurred earlier in the day. As Officer Pitts and other detectives approached the homicide suspect's apartment the man opened fire on them, fatally wounding Officer Pitts. Officer Pitts was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The suspect who shot Officer Pitts was found shot and killed from a possible self-inflicted wound at his apartment after barricading himself inside. The suspect's girlfriend was later charged since she confessed knowing he was armed, despite initially telling officers she didn't know. She was given a 1-year sentence followed by probation in November 2019.
Officer Pitts had served with the Terre Haute Police Department for 16 years and prior to that, he was a six-year veteran of the Sullivan City Police Department.
He is survived by his daughter, two sons, his sister and brother, his parents, and by his grandmother and great-grandmother.
Survivors
He is survived by his daughter, two sons, his sister and brother, his parents, and by his grandmother and great-grandmother.
In Our Keeping
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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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Pitts gave the Terre Haute Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Terre Haute community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Pitts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Terre Haute Police Department has lost 14 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 1 officer at Terre Haute Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 2.
In 2018, 2 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 2018, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2018, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 45. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Terre Haute Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36.3 and 46.3; the middle age was 43.5. Robert had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
Robert was 45. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 45. 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. Robert had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.3% of these deaths at Terre Haute Police Department; January holds the most, 25%. Fridays: 16.7%.
May holds 7.1% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Fridays: 11%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 14 deaths at Terre Haute Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 6.1% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Terre Haute Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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William E. Dwyer
Apr 2, 1908
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Matthew A. Dorley
Jan 23, 1919
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Herbert Long
Feb 9, 1922
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Stephen Kendall
Jan 23, 1924
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Harry Borum
Nov 23, 1924
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Herman F. Harms
Jan 25, 1925
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Walter Lanfair
Aug 3, 1934
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Wayne E. Jones
Jun 25, 1951
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Clarence D. Thompson
Mar 8, 1964
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James William Utz
Sep 15, 1981
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Harold Lee Rogers
Jun 16, 1984
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Brent Daniel Long
Jul 11, 2011
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Robert Shawn Pitts
May 4, 2018
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Gregory Joseph Ferency
Jul 7, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Terre Haute Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
