ISP Remember Versailles Trooper Killed in the Line of Duty

Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 10:28 AM

By Indiana State Police, news release

It was 58 years ago today when Trooper William Rayner lost his life.

(Versailles, Ind.) - Today, we remember Trooper William R. Rayner, ISP-Versailles District, who was killed in the line of duty 58 years ago.

Trooper William Rayner was shot and killed after he and a Deputy stopped a vehicle at 3:00 am on Interstate 74 east of Greensburg in Decatur County.

The officers were unaware that the car was stolen and that its occupants were parolees away without leave from a state detention home in Louisville, Kentucky, when they began to question them. As they asked the men to exit the vehicle, one of the passengers grabbed Trooper Rayner and opened fire, killing him. The Deputy was able to return fire and kill one of the suspects. The other suspect was captured sometime later after an extensive manhunt.

We will always remember.

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