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Phillip D. Hochstetler
Incident
Detective Sergeant Phillip Hochstetler was shot and killed while interviewing a suspect about a recent burglary. The suspect agreed to surrender his weapons to Detective Sergeant Hochstetler. At the last moment, the suspect turned one of the weapons on the officer. Detective Sergeant Hochstetler was shot in the throat and head. The suspect then murdered his two small children before fleeing the home. Two days later, the suspect was recognized when he drove past the crime scene. The officers chased him into downtown Warsaw. When the suspect fired upon the officers, they returned fire. The suspect was shot and killed by Warsaw police officers. Detective Sergeant Hochstetler had served with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department for four years and had previously served with the Nappanee Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by three sons.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Hochstetler gave the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Warsaw community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Hochstetler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Phillip is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Phillip is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Phillip 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 1994, 2 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Phillip was 32. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Phillip had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Phillip was 32. 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. Phillip had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Phillip was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Phillip had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.7% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 13.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Phillip among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
