Grant County Sheriff's Department, Indiana
End of Watch: Sunday, December 15, 1974
Age: 61
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: 27-15
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: December 15, 1974
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Killed in accident
Deputy Milton Starkey was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a drunken driver at 3:20 am.
Deputy Starkey was responding to an emergency call when the drunken driver crossed the center line and struck his vehicle. Deputy Starkey's son, who was riding with him at the time, was seriously injured but recovered. The suspect who caused the accident was also killed.
Deputy Starkey had served with the Grant County Sheriff's Department for four years and had previously served with the Fairmount Police Department for six years, and the United States Army. He was survived by his wife, three sones, two daughters, one grandson and five granddaughters. His son who was riding with him had just graduated from the Indiana State Police Academy approximately 12 hours before the accident.