Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Earl Sharp was shot and killed while checking several buildings on foot in the early morning hours of Christmas Day while working a second employment job. It is believed that he interrupted a burglary of a gun store that was adjacent to the property he was patrolling at 9300 Priority Way West Drive. After being shot, Lieutenant Sharp was dragged to a remote entrance of a building and left for dead. His patrol car was then hidden behind a dumpster in an area with heavy equipment. He was found by his relief officer, who was to work the day shift. Lieutenant Sharp had worked the late shift on Christmas Eve to allow another officer to be home with his family. Lieutenant Sharp had served with the Marion County Sheriff's Department for 22 years. He was survived by his wife, five children, and grandchildren. His brother-in-law, Deputy Chief Gary L. Martin of the Lake County Sheriff's Department, was killed in the line of duty on August 22, 2006, along with Indiana State Police Lieutenant Gary Dudley.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, and grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-18B0FEFE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thurman. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Sharp gave the Marion County Sheriff's Office 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Sharp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Thurman Earl Sharp is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 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 7.8 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Marion County Sheriff's Department, 9 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thurman Earl Sharp's cause is highlighted.
How Thurman Earl Sharp Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thurman Earl Sharp is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thurman Earl Sharp was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Marion County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
