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Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Saturday, May 25, 1968
07:10 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
State Road 44 at Flatrock River Road
Incident County:
Rush
Incident Township:
Rushville
Weapon Used:
Gun (unknown type)
Suspect Disposition:
Discharged in 1978

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Deputy Sheriff Wayne Herschel Peters

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Deputy Sheriff
Wayne Herschel Peters
Rush County Sheriff's Department
Saturday, May 25, 1968

Panel 5E, Line 3
Panel L12, Line 4

   Deputy Sheriff Wayne Peters was shot and killed after he went to the Tower Motel at the request of the owner.

   Upon entering the motel's office, the owner shot Deputy Sheriff Peters twice in the chest before he could draw his weapon. When the sheriff arrived, he was shot and wounded but survived before the suspect was taken into custody.

   It was believed the owner was upset when police had executed a federal arrest warrant on a motel guest three days earlier.

   The 65-year-old suspect was found guilty by a jury of voluntary manslaughter in a change of venue to Jefferson County. He was sentenced to 2 to 21 years in prison and discharged in 1978.

   Deputy Sheriff Peters, from Rushville, was survived by his wife, 20-year-old son, 19-year-old daughter and mother.

Military Service


United States Navy


Personal Details

Age: 39
Law Enforcement Service:
6 years
Burial Place:
East Hill Cemetery, Rushville