Gary Police Department, Indiana
End of Watch: Saturday, October 5, 1974
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 642
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 5, 1974
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Patrolman J.R. Boyce was off duty returning home from his shift when he was shot and killed after he responded to a robbery-in-progress at Jackson's Steak House on Dunes Highway. He was shot several times as two suspects exited the restaurant's side door.
The suspects were apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. One offender was killed in a 1977 escape attempt from the Lake County Jail. Another offender was denied parole in 2006 and 2022.
Patrolman Boyce was a second-generation officer with the Gary Police Department and had served for six years. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, and sister. His father had served for 20 years with the department and his son currently serves as chief of police with the Kouts Police Department.