Trooper Earl L. Brown
Indiana State Police
Indiana
End of Watch: Wednesday, August 31, 1955

Biographical Info
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 14 years, 10 months
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Wednesday, August 31, 1955
Weapon Used: Handgun; Luger
Suspect Info: Committed for life

Trooper Earl Brown was shot and killed while searching a suspicious subject who was walking with a shotgun in Jackson County.

Trooper Brown and a Columbus police officer were called to investigate a suspicious man walking with a shotgun along U.S. 31-A. Upon locating the subject, about 400 feet south of the Bartholomew and Jackson county line at 0500 hours, he surrendered the shotgun without resistance. As he was being searched, he pulled a pistol from his hip pocket and shot Trooper Brown twice.

The suspect was shot three times and critically wounded by the Columbus police officer. He was later judged to be insane and was committed to a maximum-security facility for life.

Trooper Brown had served with the Indiana State Police for nearly 15 years and was assigned to the Seymour post. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter and a brother, who was a detective with the Columbus Police Department.