Steven Lester Bailey was a 29-year-old Indiana State Police trooper working undercover in narcotics when he died after an accidental on-duty shooting. On the night of December 9, 1983, Bailey was part of a small team—two other troopers and a Marion County probation officer—serving an arrest warrant at the Woodward Apartments in Indianapolis. The suspect refused to open the door, and officers moved to force entry. During the breach a .45-caliber revolver in Trooper Bailey’s possession discharged; the single bullet struck him in the chin and caused catastrophic brain injury.

Bailey was taken to Methodist Hospital and died five hours later on December 10, 1983. The person wanted on the original warrant was taken into custody, and investigators concluded the shooting was an accidental discharge; no charges were filed in connection with Bailey’s death. He had served five years with the Indiana State Police and was survived by his parents, two sisters, and three brothers. If anyone has information about that night or knew Trooper Bailey, please share what you can.