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Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Friday, December 11, 1998
10:15 am
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
61108 Old County Road 17, Goshen
Incident County:
Elkhart
Incident Township:
Elkhart
Weapon Used:
Rifle
Suspect Disposition:
Sentenced to life without parole
(currently incarcerated)

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Goshen Police Department

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Patrolman Thomas Edward Goodwin

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Patrolman
Thomas Edward Goodwin
Goshen Police Department
Friday, December 11, 1998

Panel 2E, Line 21
Panel L5, Line 8

   Patrolman Thomas Goodwin was shot and killed after responding to a shooting call at the Brookside Manor Mobile Home Park.

   As he was securing the area as a crime scene, near Pebblebrook and Poplar drives, the suspect appeared and opened fire, striking him in the head and died at the scene.

   The 20-year-old suspect then barricaded himself in his trailer for several hours. He finally surrendered after a SWAT team used tear gas and was arrested.

   In early 1999, the suspect was transferred to the Logansport State Hospital in order to be evaluated for his ability to stand trial.

   He was subsequently convicted of murder in a death penalty case and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

   Patrolman Goodwin was survived by his father, brother and sister.

Military Service


United States Army
1985–1987


Personal Details

Age: 31
Law Enforcement Service:
8 years
Badge #: 102
Burial Place:
West Goshen Cemetery, Goshen