Chief of Police
Vern Lee Ervin
French Lick Police Department
Sunday, September 10, 1972

Age: 52
Served: 17 years
Badge #: FL1
Panel 47W, Line 11
Panel L5, Line 6

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Sunday, September 10, 1972
05:55 am
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
110 Wells Avenue, French Lick
Incident County:
Orange
Incident Township:
French Lick
Weapon Used:
12-gauge shotgun
Suspect Disposition:
Died in prison
Burial Place:
Mount Lebanon Cemetery, French Lick

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   Chief of Police Vern Ervin died from a shotgun wound after responding to a man with a gun at Brownie's service station.

   An officer and the chief of police from the West Baden Police Department were under fire and when Chief Ervin arrived he was killed instantly by the subject.

   The 38-year-old suspect was apprehended and charged with second-degree murder. He was later sentenced to life in prison where he died from natural causes in 1981.

   Chief of Police Ervin had previously served with the Orange County Sheriff's Department as a deputy for one year. He was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, three grandsons, three brothers and two sisters.

Military Service


United States Army
World War II
1942–1942



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