The local law enforcement community lost one of its own Wednesday. Fishers Police Officer Ron Shepard passed away while surrounded by his family and friends.
Officer Ron Shepard began his law enforcement career in 1982. For a brief period of time he was a Reserve Officer with the Arcadia Police Department. In 1983 he joined the Cicero Police Department as a Reserve Police Officer and served until 1989. In 1990, Officer Shepard was hired full-time with the Fishers Police Department. Officer Shepard was a building block for the agency made up of fewer than 10 full-time officers.
Officer Shepard served in many areas of the department during his career. He was a Field Training Officer responsible for training new hires during the explosive growth in the 1990s. He was an Evidence Technician responsible for processing crime scenes and was instrumental in designing the Fitness Center inside the Fishers Police Department. Most will remember Officer Shepard in his role as a night shift patrol officer. For more than 27 years the residents of Fishers slept safely in their homes while Officer Shepard and his shift mates patrolled the streets of Fishers.
Officer Shepard earned the highest award, the Medal of Valor, for his actions on Nov. 10, 1990. Officer Shepard responded to a violent domestic disturbance at a residence near Fishers with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. A severely injured woman reported that her boyfriend was back inside the residence with her 3-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son. She also reported that her boyfriend was armed with a shotgun. Attempts to speak with the man failed and Officer Shepard had an opportunity to break through a glass door and take the man into custody. Officer Shepard sustained severe cuts on his face and hands as he crashed through the door. Officer Shepard earned the Meritorious Service Award in 2001 and 2013 and the Distinguished Service Award in 1996.
Officer Ron Shepard was known as “Uncle Ronnie” by most of his law enforcement brothers and sisters. He will be remembered for his selfless service to the community, his kind heart, his willingness to help anyone and his sense of humor.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
I was shocked with grief hearing of my neighbor Rons passing He was our security officer at our apts so kind always helpful I pray you are with the angels and in peace we will miss you Ron here at the Metropolitan Apts Fishers lost an amazing man and officer