Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Jeffery Westerfield was shot and killed from ambush as he sat in his patrol car in the 2600 block of Van Buren Street.
A citizen called 911 at 5:50 am after discovering Patrolman Westerfield suffering from gunshot wounds in his patrol car, with multiple shell casings found outside of the vehicle. The exact circumstances of his death are unknown. He had responded to the same area on a call earlier in the night.
Three subjects were taken into custody in connection with Patrolman Westerfield's murder the following day. The subject who shot Patrolman Westerfield was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Patrolman Westerfield was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Gary Police Department for 19 years. He is survived by his four daughters, a son, and a fiancee. Patrolman Westerfield was killed on his 47th Birthday.
Survivors
He is survived by his four daughters, a son, and a fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-EBEBC3C5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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 Westerfield gave the Gary Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gary community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Jeffrey Brady Westerfield served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Jeffrey Brady Westerfield is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Gary Police Department, 10 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jeffrey Brady Westerfield's cause is highlighted.
How Jeffrey Brady Westerfield Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jeffrey Brady Westerfield is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jeffrey Brady Westerfield was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Gary Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
