Sullivan County---Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post, with the assistance of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, continue to investigate the homicide of retired farmer Lowell R. Badger, age 85, of 10447 West County Road 350 North, Merom, IN. Mr. Badger’s son found him deceased on the floor of his bedroom at 9:23 a.m. on December 8, 2012. Electronics and other items were found missing from the residence. A subsequent autopsy revealed Mr. Badger died from a gunshot wound. Leads in the case are being investigated on a daily basis, but no arrests have been made.

This week, four billboards were erected to generate leads in the investigation. Three of the billboards are visible along US 41 with one near the Vigo County Fairgrounds in Terre Haute and two in Sullivan County. The fourth is displayed along Illinois Route 1 between Robinson and Marshall, Illinois. The billboards were funded through private and business donations with Lamar Advertising given the task of designing and erecting them.

The Indiana State Police Department has dedicated a web page to information about the Lowell Badger homicide. For the most current updates in this investigation, citizens are encouraged to visit http://www.in.gov/isp/2906.htm.

The reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction is up to $35,000.

Anyone with information in the case is urged to call Indiana State Police Detective First Sergeant Jeff Hearon or Detective Tom Hanks at the Putnamville Post, 765-653-4114.

Attached is a copy of the billboards currently along US 41 and Illinois Route 1.

Please direct any questions to ISP Sergeant Joe Watts