Offender Pierre Catlett Extradited to Indiana to Stand Trial For Murder of

Hammond Patrolman Pucalik

Lake County | Pierre L. Catlett, 68, has waived his right to extradition on Novermber 7, 2018 and was ordered returned to Indiana to stand trial for murder in the line of duty death of Hammond Patrolman Lawrence J. Pucalik on November 14, 1980.

Pucalik was working an off-duty security job at the Holiday Inn-Southeast in Hammond when two males entered the hotel and attempted to rob the night clerk at 3:00 am. Hearing a commotion at the front desk, Pucalik exited a nearby office when the suspects opened fire and he was shot in the neck.

Over 31 years later, three suspects were charged with murder in Lake Circuit Court on June 22, 2012 in connection with the incident. An arrest warrant was issued for Catlett who was serving a 10-year sentence for aggravated battery with a firearm at the Dixon Correctional Center in Illinois and was paroled on August 20.

Catlett was held for an extradition hearing in Lee County Circuit Court where Judge Daniel A. Fish granted the state’s motion and ordered the Lee County Sheriff’s Department to transport the offender to Indiana to face charges.

One of the other men who entered the hotel, Larry J. Mayes, was found medically incompetent to stand trial in 2014 and his charges were dismissed. James Hill Jr., who drove the getaway car, was sentenced last month to 47 years in prison after having been found guilty by a jury of murder while committing robbery and attempted robbery.