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Corporal James John Szuba | Mishawaka Police Department, Indiana
Mishawaka Police Department, Indiana

Corporal

James John Szuba

Mishawaka Police Department, Indiana

End of Watch: Saturday, January 9, 2010

Biographical Info

Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 7 years, 10 months
Badge Number: 20172

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: January 9, 2010
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 32½ years

Corporal James Szuba and his canine partner, Ricky, were killed when their squad car was struck while assisting with a pursuit.

At about 9:20 pm, Corporal Szuba was proceeding northbound on Byrkit Avenue as it turns into Fir Road when his squad car was sideswiped by a drunken driver being pursued by another officer. The suspect had swerved around a vehicle parked at the stoplight at McKinley Highway when he hit the oncoming squad car of Corporal Szuba and Ricky, who were both killed instantly.

The 31-year-old suspect, who had a blood-alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit, was on probation for an 18-month sentence for the delivery and manufacturing of marijuana. He was later convicted and sentenced to 32½ years for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death, resisting law enforcement, and possession of controlled substances. He was released in 2022.

Corporal Szuba had served with the Mishawaka Police Department for over 7½ years. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, two brothers, and two sisters. His father and one brother retired from the South Bend Police Department. His son, also a K9 Hander, serves with the St. Joseph County Police Department, and his daughter is a police dispatcher.