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Incident
Patrolman Edward Blakely was gunned down at County Road 475 West and U.S. 30 by a murder suspect. The suspect had shot and wounded a man outside of a Gary tavern and stole his car. When the car broke down, he killed a Hobart Township resident outside his home and stole his car. Patrolman Blakely was called to investigate when the suspect got the car stuck in a ditch. Patrolman Blakely was found shot to death beside the stolen car. He was killed with a 16-gauge shotgun taken from the trunk of the murdered resident's automobile. The suspect was captured in Gary after crashing Patrolman Blakely's patrol car a few hours later. The suspect, a 20-year-old ex-convict and dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps, said he was so drunk that he could not remember anything. On March 14, 1962, a judge committed him to a mental hospital in Westville. In 1968, he was deemed fit to stand trial, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. In 1972, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered a new trial. On June 20, 1973, he was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled in 1988. Patrolman Blakely had served with the Porter County Sheriff's Department for three years and previously served with the Chesterton Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, three brothers, sister, and four grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Patrolman Blakely gave the Porter County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Valparaiso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Blakely.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Porter County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward 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
Edward was 47. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Edward was 47. 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. Edward had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 7.4% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Tuesdays: 15.8%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Porter County Sheriff's Office, 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
Porter County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Porter County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
