Seymour Police Department, Indiana
End of Watch: Saturday, August 15, 1981
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 20
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: August 15, 1981
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 2 years probation
Patrolman Jack Osborne was struck and killed in an accident caused by a drunken driver. Patrolman Osborne was assisting an Indiana state trooper investigate an accident on Interstate 65 in the Three Bridges Area.
Patrolman Osborne was inspecting a damaged guardrail when the drunken driver struck the rear of his patrol car, which had been parked on the shoulder with its emergency lights activated, shoving it into the guardrail. Another vehicle traveling behind the drunken driver then struck the drunken driver's vehicle as it rested partially in the travel lane. Patrolman Osborne was struck during the second collision and carried over 80 feet by the second vehicle. He was transported to Jackson County Schneck Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The drunken driver pleaded guilty to OWI causing death and was sentenced to two years probation, 2,600 hours of community service and related court costs.
Patrolman Osborne had served with the United States Army for 5 years. He had served with the Seymour Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife.