Jay County Sheriff's Office, Indiana
End of Watch: Tuesday, January 4, 1983
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 3 years, 6 months
Badge Number: 385
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Date of Incident: January 4, 1983
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Charged with reckless homicide
Deputy Sheriff Paul Prater was killed when he was struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop on Indiana 671, near County Road 150 north of Redkey.
He had stopped a van for speeding and as he stood by the driver's side of the van, a northbound vehicle struck him, killing him instantly. The driver was charged with reckless homicide.
Deputy Prater had served with the Jay County Sheriff's Office for 3½ years. He was survived by his wife, two children, mother, and four siblings.