Patrolman John Pfaffenberger died from gunshot wounds he suffered two days earlier while attempting to arrest three suspects who had stolen seven gallons of gas from a service station on U.S. 50, five miles west of Seymour.

   He had setup a roadblock at the intersection of U.S. 50 and U.S. 31 to stop the vehicle. When the suspects encountered the roadblock they opened fire, mortally wounding him and he died two days later at Schneck Memorial Hospital.

   The suspects fled the scene and a short time later shot Deputy Harold Amick, of the Scott County Sheriff's Department, who died from a gunshot wound to the head the following day.

   Three suspects were apprehended and convicted of first-degree murder. Two offenders, ages 20 and 25, were sentenced to life in prison but one was granted parole by Governor Henry F. Schricker in June 1950 and died a month later.

   The 22-year-old shooter was sentenced to death and on October 9, 1934, he was executed by electrocution at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.

   Patrolman Pfaffenberger was survived by his wife, daughter, four sons and mother.

Military Service United States Army Private First Class (PFC) ▪ 1918–1919