Trooper Robert John Lather, II, Indiana State Police, Indiana

Trooper Robert John Lather, II

Indiana State Police, Indiana

End of Watch Tuesday, July 6, 1982

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Robert John Lather, II

Trooper Robert Lather was killed when his cruiser was struck by a car that he and a Howard County deputy were trying to stop.

The deputy had called for assistance in stopping the vehicle, which was traveling at over 95 mph. Trooper Lather was in front of the vehicle attempting to slow it when the car struck the rear of his cruiser, causing it to crash.

The 17-year-old driver was arrested and charged with manslaughter and several traffic violations including drunk driving.

Trooper Lather, who had beaten cancer twice, had served with the Indiana State Police for 7½ years and was assigned to the Peru post. He was survived by his wife, 2-year-old son, and 6-month-old daughter.

Bio

Age 30
Tour 7 years, 6 months
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Vehicular assault
Weapon Automobile
Offender Arrested

Impaired Driver, traffic stop, vehicle crash

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Heavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.

Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];

"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NCCA, NACM
Ordained/Licensed Independent WCM Clergy (06/01/2020)
The Steven R. Closs Ministries - Chartered by WCM No. 31528
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA
Member: National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM)