Michael G. Rusnak

Gary Police Department — Gary, IN

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch June 11, 1966

Age 45

Tour of Duty 16 yrs

The Vigil Panel 101 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

Incident

Detective Michael Rusnak was investigating a disturbance at 21st Avenue and Vermont Street when he was shot and killed. The tavern's manager had reported that a man was waving a gun at the patrons. Upon the officer's arrival, Detective Rusnak was shot through the heart as he entered the side door. The suspect was chased three blocks and caught by his partner, Officer George Lowe, who ironically was also shot and killed in the line of duty nearly four years later. The suspect was later convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, and committed suicide while incarcerated. Detective Rusnak was a United States Coast Guard Reserve World War II veteran who had served with the Gary Police Department for 16 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IN-C5EC972E
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.
Detective Rusnak gave the Gary Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gary 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 Gary Police Department

Location Gary, IN

Platform Identity garypd.lake.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 11, 1966

Tour of Duty 16 yrs

Age 45

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Pistol

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

Michael G. Rusnak served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Detective Michael G. Rusnak 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.

Gary Police Department

of 15 officers

66.7% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious