Merrillville Man Charged with Impersonating Law Enforcement Officer
Edward L. Trotter, 28, of Merrillville, has been charged with impersonation of a public servant following a police response to a disturbance on August 24, 2024.
According to court documents, Merrillville police responded around 3:56 p.m. to the 5300 block of Broadway for a large fight involving approximately 50 people. While officers were attempting to manage the scene, a man later identified as Trotter approached and asked about a detained individual. During the interaction, he stated, “I’m GPD this is not my jurisdiction,” before walking away.
Body camera footage from the incident was reviewed during the investigation. An officer reported he believed Trotter was identifying himself as a Gary Police Department officer. Investigators confirmed with GPD that Trotter was not employed by the department or any other law enforcement agency. His identity was confirmed using BMV records.
Court documents also describe a second incident on October 6, 2024, during a traffic detail outside a church in the 200 block of W. 57th Avenue. During that encounter, Trotter told an officer he was “one of us” and said he remembered the officer from the earlier call at 53rd and Broadway. Trotter was again implying that he was a police officer.
Trotter was formally charged on November 8, 2024, and lodged in the Lake County Jail on June 22, 2025.
Charge filed:
• Impersonation of a Public Servant – Level 6 Felony
