Bio & Incident Details
Age: 29
Tour: 2 years, 1 month
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 3/16/1976
Weapon: Shotgun
Suspect: Shot and killed
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Detective James Compton was shot and killed while attempting to serve a narcotics warrant on a man suspected of selling marijuana to students at a nearby high school.
Detective Compton and three other detectives went to the man's home at approximately 10:00 pm to serve the warrant. When Detective Compton knocked on the door and identified himself, the suspect fired a shotgun from inside, striking him in the head.
Detective Compton was able to crawl to the front yard where he collapsed before being transported to a local hospital where he died approximately two hours later. The other detectives returned fire at the suspect, fatally wounding him.
Detective Compton had served with the Indianapolis Police Department for only six weeks and had previously served as a police officer in Kansas for two years. He was a US Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and the recipient of a Purple Heart. Detective Compton was survived by his wife, 6- and 11-year old daughters and a 5-year-old son.
