INDIANAPOLIS — Joseph McAtee, a former Indianapolis police chief and Marion County sheriff, has died.
IMPD announced his death Saturday in a post that said "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, former co-workers, and with our community."
Services
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Washington Park East at 10722 E. Washington St. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 10 a.m. at the same location.
Early success
McAtee's name is well known within the central Indiana law enforcement community. In his career, he received a number of accolades including being honored during a ceremony last year for his service to the community and public safety work.
When McAtee was a lieutenant with the then-Indianapolis Police Department, he and members of the homicide branch cleared every single murder case for the year 1972. It was an accomplishment believed to be a first in the nation.
GALLERY: Photos from former Indianapolis Police Chief Joseph McAtee's career
At the time, then-Mayor Richard G. Lugar issued a Mayor’s citation, the first of his 5-year administration, recognizing McAtee and 17 others for their efforts.
“In the calendar year of 1972, the Homicide Branch of the Indianapolis Police Department investigated 66 homicides. Of the 66 investigated, there have been arrests made in 64, and warrants charging murder have been filed in the other two cases," Lugar said in a 1972 press conference. "... This record is an outstanding one and has been reported to the Washington D.C. office of the F.B.I. That office reports they claim to know of no other city of any size to have achieved a 100% clearance rate in homicides in 1972. It is believed that this is surely a national record if not a national first.”
Indianapolis Police Chief
IMPD Chief Randal Taylor said McAtee hired him as one of his deputies in 1993. Taylor said McAtee's legacy of public service will not be forgotten.
"Sheriff McAtee was a kind and thoughtful leader who leaves a legacy of individual and family public service unmatched in the history of our city. We will miss him.”
Marion County Sheriff
After his tenure as Chief of Police for the Indianapolis Police Department, McAtee served two terms as sheriff from 1987-1994.
Sheriff Kerry Forestal released the following statement about McAtee's passing:
"Sheriff Joseph G. McAtee’s passing gives us a chance to reflect on all he accomplished for our city and county in law enforcement. He was a rock-solid chief for IPD, and an even stronger Sheriff of Marion County. I’m sure many agree that without the two-term limit for elected sheriffs in Indiana, Joe would have had several more terms in service to the people of Marion County. It was always certain that he was in charge, and it was always clear that he backed his people. He will truly leave a lasting legacy and his memory will live on as the patriarch of several generations of family still protecting and serving our community.”
Public Safety Legacy
After his two terms as sheriff, he became the elected constable for Pike Township.
He later returned to the MCSO under Sheriff Frank Anderson and served through 2012.
The MCSO said McAtee, "demonstrating a lifelong commitment to public safety," remained a Reserve Deputy under Sheriff John Layton.
Mayor Joe Hogsett said the community will always be grateful for his service:
"Few individuals have done as much to keep our community safe as Joe McAtee. He leaves a legacy of selfless service as sheriff, police chief, and constable; and a grateful community for his decades of leadership."