Schererville Police Department, Indiana
End of Watch Saturday, February 24, 1973
Add to My HeroesJames Roy Wittchen
Patrolman James Wittchen was checking on a report of a burglary in progress and was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer who mistook him for an armed burglar in the night shadows.
Patrolman Wittchen had served with the Schererville Police Department for 3½ years.
Bio
- Age 32
- Tour 3 years, 6 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Most Recent Reflection
View all 17 ReflectionsYou served peace in life, may you have it for eternity.
Rob Patterson
DHS
May 24, 2025
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Tim Jordan
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: January 21, 2026
Agent Aníbal Morales Aponte
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: January 13, 2026
Zone Sergeant Steven W. Greene
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 24, 2025
Sergeant Frederick W. Scheidt, Jr.
New York State Police, NY
EOW: August 13, 2025
Trooper Mark A. Ondus
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 19, 2025
Police Officer Elijah Garretson
Copperas Cove Police Department, TX
EOW: January 11, 2026
Master Police Officer Donald Richard Gotthardt, Jr.
Fairfax County Police Department, VA
EOW: October 16, 2025
Police Officer Terry L. Bennett
Metropolitan Police Department, DC
EOW: January 7, 2026
Police Officer Stephen LaPorta
Uxbridge Police Department, MA
EOW: January 7, 2026