Officer Donald Kilbourne died from injuries he suffered two days earlier in a two-vehicle accident while attempting to pursue a traffic violator.

   He was traveling north on Meridian Street when his motorcycle, whose emergency lights were activated, skidded 75 feet before colliding with a vehicle. He died two days later at Marion County General Hospital of head and internal injuries.

   The 18-year-old driver of the vehicle had been stopped for the traffic signal at the intersection and stated as he began to proceed, he was unable to avoid the officer's motorcycle when it struck his driver's side door. No charges were filed.

   Officer Kilbourne was survived by his wife and three sons who were one, four and seven years of age.

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