In the late afternoon of a summer day in Indiana, what began as an act of kindness by a dedicated law enforcement officer ended in a tragic loss of life. On Thursday, July 5, 2007, Master Trooper David Edward Rich, a 41-year-old male, was on his way home in an unmarked police car when he noticed a seemingly stranded vehicle on U.S. 24, just a mile west of Wabash. Believing the motorist needed assistance, the 17-year veteran of the Indiana State Police pulled over to help.
Unbeknownst to Trooper Rich, the man in the SUV was 21-year-old Joseph M. Vultaggio Jr. of Gaylord, Michigan. Vultaggio was driving a vehicle that had been reported stolen by his own father the day before. As Trooper Rich approached the SUV, Vultaggio opened fire with a shotgun through the driver's side window, striking the officer in the chest. Though Trooper Rich had his service weapon drawn, he was not wearing a bullet-resistant vest.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Vultaggio reloaded his shotgun and took his own life. The sudden and violent encounter left Trooper Rich fatally wounded. He was a respected detective assigned to the Peru post, known for his dedication to his community and his family, which included his wife, a 7-year-old daughter, and twin 4-year-old sons.
The investigation into the incident revealed no motive beyond Vultaggio's apparent desperation. Because the sole suspect in the murder of Master Trooper David Edward Rich committed suicide at the scene, there were no arrests or subsequent legal proceedings. The law enforcement community and the residents of Wabash mourned the loss of a man who was remembered as a devoted family man and a compassionate officer. In 2008, a section of U.S. 24 in Wabash was designated as a Memorial Mile in his honor.
