Marion F. Cunningham
Agency patch
Patrolman

Marion F. Cunningham

Lawrenceburg Police Department — Lawrenceburg, IN
Veteran → Felonious
End of Watch September 20, 1938
Age 43
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
The Vigil Panel 75 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Marion Cunningham was shot and killed by a drunken suspect whom he encountered earlier in the evening. Earlier, Patrolman Cunningham took the man home and informed him he would be arrested if he was seen again. As Patrolman Cunningham continued his patrol he encountered the suspect sitting on the steps of the fire department. As Patrolman Cunningham approached, the man suddenly pulled a handgun and opened fire. Patrolman Cunningham was taken to Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died. The suspect, 28, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on November 13, 1959. Patrolman Cunningham had served with the Lawrenceburg Police Department for three years and was a World War I veteran.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-8E43E997
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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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 Cunningham gave the Lawrenceburg Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lawrenceburg 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

Type Police Department
Location Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, IN
Platform Identity lpd.dearborn.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 20, 1938
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 43
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Military Service

Marion F. Cunningham served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Patrolman Marion F. Cunningham 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 97,759 officers honored here.

In IN, 311 of 504 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.7% of this state's fallen. That is 61.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Lawrenceburg Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Lawrenceburg Police Department
2
of 4 officers
50% Felonious
IN — Statewide
311
of 504 officers
61.7% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,759 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Marion F. Cunningham's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Marion F. Cunningham Compares

Age at Death
43
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Marion F. Cunningham is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Marion F. Cunningham was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Military Service

Marion F. Cunningham served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.

Visit Marion F. Cunningham’s page on salute.nw →

His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.