New Harmony Police Department, Indiana
End of Watch: Wednesday, July 13, 1955
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: July 13, 1955
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Charged
Town Marshal Ralph Fisher suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to arrest two burglary suspects.
At approximately 4:00 am, Marshal Fisher and a state trooper were alerted to a burglary taking place at Mount's Tavern. Marshal Fisher arrived and encountered two suspects who overpowered and assaulted him before taking his gun. Upon the state trooper's arrival, one suspect using the marshal's gun exchanged gunfire, wounding the trooper, before both suspects fled in their vehicle. The trooper then found Marshal Fisher behind the tavern, having died of a heart attack from the struggle with the suspects.
The suspects were located less than two hours later attempting to flee the state. They were captured by another state trooper who had stationed himself at the Dogtown Ferry near Mount Vernon. The suspects, with only $37 taken from the tavern and Marshal Fisher's gun, offered no resistance. They were charged with auto banditry and second-degree burglary.
Marshal Fisher was survived by his wife and son.