State trooper found dead in home, no foul play suspected

Friday, December 27, 2013
Michael J. Capicik

TERRE HAUTE -- An Indiana State Police trooper assigned to the Putnamville Post died Friday afternoon of apparent natural causes at his Vigo County home.

Just after noon Friday, ISP troopers and Terre Haute police and fire units were summoned to the Vigo County home of Michael J. Capicik, 52, a soon-to-be-retired State Police officer.

Emergency agencies responded to a 911 call from a friend who discovered the victim unresponsive in his bathroom. The victim was believed to have been found not long after he collapsed.

Foul play was not suspected, authorities said, and a medical condition may have played a role in the death.

Capicik was an active member of the Indiana State Police, holding the rank of corporal.

He was scheduled to retire in January 2014 with 28 years of service to the Indiana State Police and the citizens of Indiana.

A graduate of the 43rd ISP Recruit School, Capicik was appointed on Nov. 10, 1985.

He served in many capacities within the department, including as road trooper, underwater search and recovery diver, supervisor on the overnight shift, Harley Davidson Motor Patrol unit, and most recently in the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center in Indianapolis.

An autopsy is scheduled for late Tuesday afternoon at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.

State Police Detectives First Sergeant Jeff Hearon, Don Anglin and Michael Taylor are conducting the investigation.

Assisting were ISP Crime Scene Investigator Sgt. Kris Fitzgerald; ISP Lt. Dan Jones. Sgt. Chris Effner and Troopers Brandon Mullen and Bill Bradbury; Terre Haute police and fire units, and the Vigo County Coroner's Office.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: