Detective Sergeant James Gaughan was killed in a two-vehicle accident while responding to a disturbance call in the 800 block of North Alabama Street.

   While traveling northbound, the patrol car Detective Sergeant Gaughan and his partner were in was struck by another vehicle going eastbound.

   Both detectives were thrown to the pavement by the impact, killing Detective Sergeant Gaughan and seriously injuring his partner who survived.

   The 24-year-old male driver of the vehicle was charged with reckless homicide, vagrancy and failure to stop at an intersection.

   Detective Sergeant Gaughan was scheduled to leave on vacation with his family at the end of his shift. He was survived by his wife, 11-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter.

The responsibilities of the Indianapolis Police Department (1854–2006) are now under the jurisdiction of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.