Sergeant Daniel Robert Starnes
Morgan County Sheriff's Department
Indiana
End of Watch: Tuesday, July 10, 2001

Biographical Info
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 55-22

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, June 14, 2001
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to death

Sergeant Daniel Starnes succumbed to gunshot wounds received one month earlier when he was involved in a shootout during a traffic stop.

Sergeant Starnes, who was the agency's warrant officer, had stopped a suspect who had an outstanding warrant. While Sergeant Starnes and the suspect were outside of their vehicles shots were exchanged and Sergeant Starnes was struck in the chest four times by the suspect's .45 caliber handgun. Sergeant Starnes was not wearing a protective vest at the time.

The suspect then turned and fired into the patrol car, striking Sergeant Starnes' son, who was participating in a ride along for a college project. Sergeant Starnes was able to return fire, striking the suspect seven times, wounding him. The son was then able to retrieve the service shotgun from the trunk of the patrol car and he held the suspect at gunpoint until other units arrived. The incident happened only 15 minutes after Sergeant Starnes reported for duty and was within eyesight of his home. Sergeant Starnes was admitted to a hospital but succumbed to his wounds one month later after an infection set in.

The suspect was arrested and convicted of murder. On November 21, 2003, he was sentenced to death.

Sergeant Starnes had served with the Morgan County Sheriff's Department for five years. He was survived by his wife and two sons, both of whom serve with the Indiana State Police as troopers, having graduated from the 59th and 65th ISP Recruit Academies.