Indiana State Police, Indiana
End of Watch Sunday, December 18, 1966
Add to My HeroesWilliam R. Rayner
Trooper William Rayner was shot and killed after he and a deputy stopped a vehicle at 3:00 am on Interstate 74 east of Greensburg in Decatur County.
The officers were unaware that the car was stolen and that its occupants were parolees away without leave from a state detention home in Louisville, Kentucky, when they began to question them. As they asked the men to exit the vehicle, the passenger grabbed Trooper Rayner and opened fire, killing him. The deputy was able to return fire and kill one of the suspects. The other suspect was captured some time later after an extensive manhunt.
Trooper Rayner had served with the Indiana State Police for over eight years and was assigned to the Versailles post. He was survived by his wife and three sons, one of whom was born after his death.
In 2009, Interstate 74 near the 138-mile marker in Decatur County was dedicated the Trooper William Rayner Memorial Highway in his honor.
Bio
- Age 30
- Tour 8 years, 3 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 22 ReflectionsR.I.P. k
Ret. Det. 1. Vincent Sinnott
April 7, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
Investigator Brian Herbert
Osage Nation Police Department, TR
EOW: April 17, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar
Hendricks County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: April 16, 2024
Police Officer Michael E. Jensen
Syracuse Police Department, NY
EOW: April 14, 2024
Lieutenant Michael Hoosock
Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: April 14, 2024
Sergeant William Marty Jackson, II
Winchester Police Department, KY
EOW: April 14, 2024
Police Officer Ross Bartlett
Ceresco Police Department, NE
EOW: April 12, 2024
Chief of Police Steven Allen Singer
Lake Lafayette Police Department, MO
EOW: April 8, 2024
Correctional Sergeant Andrew John Faught
Illinois Department of Corrections, IL
EOW: April 8, 2024
Police Officer Joseph McKinney
Memphis Police Department, TN
EOW: April 12, 2024