Trooper John J. Streu
Indiana State Police
Indiana
End of Watch: Saturday, February 20, 1971

Biographical Info
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 10 months
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, February 20, 1971
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Trooper John Streu and St. John Town Marshal James Larimer were shot and killed while arresting two suspects for kidnapping, robbery, and auto theft. The two officers had responded to a report of two men behind a school. The officers handcuffed one of the men and placed him in the cruiser when the second man opened fire, striking Marshal Larimer.

Trooper Streu returned fire, striking the suspect. He then left his gun in the front seat and went to the aid of Marshal Larimer. When he did so the handcuffed suspect reached over the seat, picked up Trooper Streu's weapon, and shot him. One suspect was sentenced to two life terms in prison. The other suspect was sentenced to life in prison and was again denied parole on February 14, 2006.

Trooper Streu had served with the Indiana State Police for 10 months and was assigned to the Schererville post. In 2001, the John J. Streu Memorial Bridge, formerly the Sixth Street Bridge was dedicated in his honor in Logansport, Trooper Streu's hometown.

Related Line of Duty Deaths

Marshal James Larimer St. John Police Department, IN EOW: Saturday, February 20, 1971 Cause of Death: Gunfire