Deputy Sheriff
Paul Howard Prater
Jay County Sheriff's Department
Tuesday, January 4, 1983

Age: 28
Served: 3 years, 6 months
Badge #:
Panel 46E, Line 3
Panel L32, Line 10

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Struck by vehicle
Date/Time of Incident:
Tuesday, January 4, 1983
06:15 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
State Road 67 near County Road 150 South
Incident County:
Jay
Incident Township:
Greene
Weapon Used:
None
Suspect Disposition:
Charged
Burial Place:
Salamonia Cemetery, Salamonia

Share this Memorial
   

   Deputy Sheriff Paul Prater was struck and killed by a vehicle during a traffic stop northeast of Redkey.

   He had stopped a van for speeding and as he stood by the driver's side of the van, a northbound vehicle struck him.

   Deputy Prater was taken to Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie where he died a short time later.

   The 87-year-old male driver of the vehicle that struck Deputy Prater was charged with reckless homicide.

   Deputy Sheriff Prater, from Portland, had previously served with the Portland Police Department. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Historical Note

• The 87-year-old offender is the second-oldest known to be involved in a line of duty death in Indiana.



View all fallen officers from the
Jay County Sheriff's Department

Donate in memory of
Deputy Sheriff Prater
Deputy Sheriff Paul Howard Prater - Jay County Sheriff's Department - INLEM.org