Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

Frank Bruno Jr.

Memphis Police Department — Memphis, TN

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch October 7, 1960

Age 29

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Badge 98

The Vigil Panel 95 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 93

Incident

Patrolman Frank Bruno was shot and killed while investigating a burglary in progress at 639 E McLemore Avenue, The Ace Sundry. Patrolman Bruno and his partner were informed by a citizen of a possible burglary at the address around 1 a.m. While Patrolman Bruno's partner questioned the complainant, he entered the store. Two shots were fired as he entered, one of which struck and killed Patrolman Bruno. Patrolman Bruno's partner fired several shots at several suspects as they fled, but none hit their mark. A tip led to the arrest of all three suspects, ages 40, 36, and 24, on Sept. 25, 1962. Two were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Their sentences were later commuted to 150 years. The third suspect was sentenced to 99 years. In 1982 the terminally-ill suspect believed to have fired the fatal shot was pardoned by Gov. Lamar Alexander to die at home. Due to public outrage, Gov. Alexander withdrew the pardon 24 hours later and the suspect died in prison. The 24-year-old was paroled in 1985. The other suspect was paroled in 1980 and died a few days later. Patrolman Bruno had served with the agency for five years. He was a U.S. Army veteran.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TN-3AF0CC32
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Frank is one person.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Bruno gave the Memphis Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Memphis Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Memphis, Shelby County, TN

Platform Identity mpd.shelby.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 7, 1960

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 29

Badge Number 98

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

Military Service

Frank Bruno Jr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Patrolman Frank Bruno Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Memphis Police Department, 53 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56.4% of this agency's fallen.

Memphis Police Department

of 94 officers

56.4% Felonious

TN — Statewide

498

of 769 officers

64.8% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious