Fallen Staff
Dedicated to the courageous men and women of the IDOC who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Thank you for your unwavering dedication, selflessness, and community service.
Michael R. Keel
Eugene L. Lasco
Timothy A. Betts
Robert J. Statzer
Jerome Brewer
Phillip K. Curry
William W. Wilson
Vanessa Cook
Harold E. Rice
John H. Grimm
Charles V. Orem
David M. Lovette
Paul Stokeberry
Ora D. Ambrose
William H. Spear
Hiram B. McWilliams
George A. Chamberlain
Michael R. Keel
December 31, 1961 - April 12, 2023
Indiana State Prison
Born in Valparaiso, Indiana, Mike, 61, worked in for the department for 29 years. He began his career working at Putnamville “The Farm” raising livestock where he trained to become a steel Fabricator. He ran the steel shop for the remainder of his time with IDOC at ISP. Most notably, Mike built the Memorial Bell which stands at the Fallen Officer Memorial in New Castle, In. He was assaulted by an incarcerated individual while working in the steel shop. His final resting place is located at Anglecrest Cemetery in Valparaiso, In.
Watch Video Tribuite
Eugene L. Lasco
July 6, 1963 - February 21, 2021
Indiana State Prison
Born in Decatur, Illinois, Lieutenant Lasco, 57, worked in corrections for 11 years at the Indiana State Prison where he was a locksmith, a former member of the emergency squad, and served on the Technical Response Team for Safety Hazmat. Lt. Lasco was assaulted by an incarcerated individual when he came to the assistance of another correctional officer and has received multiple accolades for his service to DOC. His final resting place is located at Graceland Cemetery in Decatur, IL.
Watch Video Tribuite
Timothy A. Betts
March 24, 1961 - August 26, 2012
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
Born in Toledo, Ohio, Officers Betts, 51, has served the Indiana Department of Correction for 15 years as a correctional office at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility. He died of natural causes while escorting an unruly incarcerated individual. His final resting place is located at Lebanon Cemetery in Miland, IN.
Robert J. Statzer
December 25, 1948 - November 25, 2008
Pendleton Correctional Facility
Robert, 52, from Cicero, Indiana worked for the Indiana Department of Correction as an Electrical Forman for Pendleton Correctional Facility. Before joining IDOC Robert served in Vietnam with the US Marine Corps and work as an electrician for 35 years in the private sector. He died in an auto accident while walking to his assigned work location. His services were held at Randall & Roberts funeral Home in Noblesville, IN.
Jerome Brewer
June 1, 1964 - August 1, 2007
Indianapolis Juvenile Correctional Facility
Jerome, 43, of Indianapolis served the Department of Correction holding multiple positions during his tenure. Ending his career as Community Service Director at the Indianapolis Juvenile Correctional Facility. He began his career as a Correctional Counselor and held the positon of a Recreational Leader twice. He died from natural causes while playing a pickup basketball game at the facility. His final resting place is located at Washinton Park North Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN.
Phillip K. Curry
October 28, 1960 - December 13, 1994
Indiana State Prison
Officer Curry, 34, of Indianapolis was a memember of the Indiana Department of Correction for 1 year and 6 months; at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. Curry was assaulted while transferring the incarcerated population to their cells after dinner. His final resting place is located at Evergreen Memorial Park in Hobart, IN.
William W. Wilson
September 22, 1931 - May 11, 1987
Westville Correctional Facility
William “Feenie”, 55, served the Indiana Department of Correction working at Westville Correctional Facility. He died of natural causes while on duty. His final resting place is located at Pine Lake Cemetery in La Porte, IN.
Vanessa Cook
January 20, 1955 - November 15, 1980
Gary Parole District
Agent Cook, 25, served the Department for 3 years working in the Gary Parole District. Agent Cook was the first African American female Parole agent to give her life in the line of duty. It took decades to establish a line of duty connection; however, in 2020, Cook’s name was added to the Indiana Law Enforcement Memorial. Her final resting place is located at Oak Hill Cemetery in Gary, Indiana.
Watch Video Tribuite
Harlod E. Rice
February 5, 1916 - December 29, 1976
Indiana State Prison
Harold, 60, worked for the Indiana Department of Correction for 14 years. He started his career as a correctional officer before working in Industries at the Indiana State Prison. He was assaulted by an incarcerated individual and was later discovered by an incarcerated clerk reporting to work. His final resting place is located at the Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City, Indiana.
John H. Grimm
July 1862 - May 8, 1921
Indiana Reformatory
Office Grimm, 59, worked for the department 18 years as a custody officer at the Indiana Reformatory in Clarksville. He was assaulted by incarcerated individuals attempting to escape from the facility. The details surrounding his birth is unknown, however his final resting place is located at the Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Charles "Virgil" Orem
January 21, 1878 - January 21, 1919
Indiana Reformatory
Born in Pleasant, Indiana, Officer Orem, 41, worked for the department for 2 years at the Indiana Reformatory in Clarksville as a custody officer. He was assaulted by incarcerated individuals attempting to escape from the facility while they were working in the auto shop. His final resting place is located at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Jeffersonville, IN.
David M. Lovette
April 26, 1876 - October 17, 1918
Indiana Boy’s School
Lovette, 42, volunteered as a teacher with the Indiana Department of Correction at the Indiana Boys School during the 1918 flu pandemic caring for the sick. The outbreak left 375 staff and incarcerated ill resulting in 11 deaths. His final resting place is located at Beech Grove Cemetery in Muncie, IN.
Paul Stokeberry
June 28, 1891 - October 18, 1918
Indiana Boy’s School
Stokeberry, 27, from Morgan County volunteered as a teacher with the Indiana Department of Correction at the Indiana Boys School during the 1918 flu pandemic caring for the sick. The outbreak left 375 staff and incarcerated ill resulting in 11 deaths. His final resting place is located at Mooresville Cemetery in Mooresville, Indiana.
Ora D. Ambrose
March 3, 1888 – October 18, 1913
Indiana Boy’s School
Ora, 25, worked for the Indiana Boy’s School in Plainfield. Corrections employees William Spears and Ora Ambrose were killed in an automobile accident near the facility after the search was called off for the missing boys. His final resting place is located at Greenwood Cemetery in Chandler, Indiana.
William H. Spears
June 3, 1872 – October 18, 1913
Indiana Boy’s School
Spears, 42, of Franklin Country served the Department for 12 years at the Indiana Boy’s School in Plainfield. Corrections employees William Spears and Ora Ambrose were killed in an automobile accident near the facility after the search was called off for the missing boys. His final resting place is located at Columbia Cemetery in Connersville, IN.
Hiram B. McWilliams
June 7, 1871 - November 22, 1911
Indiana Reformatory
Officer McWilliams, 40, served as a Correctional Officer at the Indiana Reformatory in Clarksville. He was assaulted while on duty by an incarcerated individual who retaliated against him for reporting infractions. His final resting place is located at Mifflin Cemetery in Mifflin, Indiana.
George A. Chamberlain
1849 - May 11, 1874
Indiana Reformatory
Officer Chamberlain, 25, served the department for 10 months at Indiana Prison South in Clarksville. He was killed chasing 4 inmates attempting to escape the facility. His final resting place is located at Danville South Cemetery in Danville, Indiana.
Fallen Staff Memorial Ceremony
