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Incident
Sergeant Ben Bertram was killed in a vehicle crash while involved in a vehicle pursuit on State Road 3 at 10:30 pm.
He had attempted to stop a stolen vehicle, but the driver refused to stop. As the pursuit neared State Road 56 in Scott County, Sergeant Bertram's vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. Other officers in the pursuit immediately stopped and rendered aid, but Sergeant Bertram succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The 35-year-old driver continued to flee but was apprehended in Clark County. He was charged with resisting law enforcement resulting in death and auto theft. On March 6, 2019, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Sergeant Bertram's canine partner survived the crash and was treated at a local veterinary hospital.
Sergeant Bertram had served with the Charlestown Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and sister.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Bertram gave the Charlestown Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlestown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Bertram.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Charlestown Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Benton is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Benton is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benton is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 2 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 2018, 50 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2018, 52 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 101st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Benton was 33. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Benton had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Benton was 33. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Benton had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benton was 33. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Benton had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.3% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Charlestown Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 11.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Charlestown Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Benton among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Charlestown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
