Chief of Police Vern L. Ervin

Vern L. Ervin

Chief of Police Vern Ervin was shot and killed at the French Lick Police Station at 5:50 am.

The subject had an argument with his family, and the women fled to French Lick Police Station to receive the aid of the police. The subject went through West Baden and French Lick, firing a 12- gauge shotgun as he followed them in his vehicle. When West Baden Police officers arrived at the station, he shot out the windshield of a West Baden Police Department cruiser. As Chief Ervin arrived on the scene and approached the subject, the man shot him in the head, killing him. The subject fled across the street and surrendered at 6:15 am.

The suspect was sentenced to life in prison, where he later died from natural causes.

Chief Ervin was a United States World War II Army veteran who had served with the French Lick Police Department for 16 years and had previously served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for one year. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, three grandsons, and five siblings.