Indiana State Police, Indiana
End of Watch: Sunday, March 30, 1969
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 7 years, 7 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 30, 1969
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Released in 1993
Trooper Robert Lietzan was shot and killed after responding to a call of a mentally deranged subject shooting around a camping area near Metamora in Franklin County.
As Trooper Lietzan and sheriff's deputies arrived they found a man in a barricaded position. While attempting to get the suspect to surrender, he opened fire with a rifle, fatally striking Trooper Lietzan in the head before being taken into custody.
The suspect, 25, was committed in a state mental institution in 1962 and released a year later. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on November 14, 1969. He was released in April of 1993.
Trooper Lietzan had served with the Indiana State Police for over 7½ years and was assigned to the Connersville post. He was a US Navy veteran. Trooper Lietzan was survived by his wife and 4-year-old daughter.