Marion County Sheriff's Office, Indiana
End of Watch Tuesday, November 7, 1972
Add to My HeroesRobert C. Atwell
Lieutenant Robert Atwell was shot during an exchange of gunfire with an armed suspect during a disturbance at a trailer in the Pondarosa Mobile Home Court.
A woman who lived at the trailer called the police at 11:55 pm to complain that her estranged husband had threatened her and their 4-year-old daughter. They had been separated for about six months prior to the incident, and her husband had been under psychiatric care and had peace bonds and restraining orders against him.
Hearing his brother, Corporal Charles Atwell, receive the call to the trailer home, Lieutenant Atwell went in on the run to assist him. Arriving first, Lieutenant Atwell exited his car. He got only a few feet when he heard shots from the vicinity of the trailer. Before he could take cover, he was struck on the side of the forehead by one of the slugs.
Seconds later, IPD officers David Cress and Stephen Keers pulled up. They had both just gone off duty when they heard the call. The windshield of Officer Keers’ car was riddled with shotgun pellets, some of which struck Officer Keers, who was wounded slightly. Within moments, other police and sheriff's cars arrived and engaged the suspect in a gun battle.
Lieutenant Atwell was moved from the line of fire and transported by ambulance to a hospital, where he died shortly after noon on Tuesday, November 7. The suspect died at the scene from what was believed to be a self-inflicted injury.
Lieutenant Atwell was a United States Army Korean War veteran and had served with the Marion County Sheriff's Department for 17 years. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
Bio
- Age 38
- Tour 17 years
- Badge 19
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Thursday, November 2, 1972
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Died at the scene
Most Recent Reflection
View all 29 ReflectionsLt. Atwell,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
November 7, 2022
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