Conservation Officer James Dallas Pitzer, Indiana Department of Conservation, Indiana

Conservation Officer James Dallas Pitzer

Indiana Department of Conservation, Indiana

End of Watch Sunday, January 1, 1961

James Dallas Pitzer

Conservation Officer James Pitzer was shot and killed while investigating two men who were illegally hunting rabbits in Jay County.

One of the men was a recent parolee who served 31 years for murder and feared he would be sent back to prison. He then shot and killed Conservation Officer Pitzer, who died instantly from a single shotgun blast which struck him in the head. There was no indication of a robbery, but Conservation Officer Pitzer's .38-caliber service revolver had been ripped from its holster and was not found at the scene.

Conservation Officer Pitzer had served with the Indiana Department of Conservation for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

The Indiana Division of Natural Resources - Division of Law Enforcement's highest commendation award is named the Pitzer Award in honor Officer Pitzer and is awarded annually.

Bio

Age 54
Tour 20 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Not available

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Most Recent Reflection

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James Dallas Pitzer was my most beloved uncle. I'll never get the day he was taken away from our family, my Grandmother was devastated as all the family at that time. It was her third child to precede her in death, the manner of his loss was the hardest. To have someone you love taken by the act of murder is just hard to deal with. He was a kind gentle loving soul in a "bear suit". How proud he would be of his family that they have gone on and kept his memory in their hearts to honor him... Love from his youngest niece, Dona Cage Cohen- May his memory be of a blessing-

Dona Cohen
Dona Cage Cohen- Maternal Niece

June 9, 2018