Thomas R. Graham

Indianapolis Police Dept. — Indianapolis, IN

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch October 12, 1965

Age 38

Tour of Duty 9 yrs

The Vigil Panel 100 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 58

Incident

Officer Thomas Graham was shot and killed with his own service weapon after a burglary suspect gained control of his revolver. While the prisoner was in the basement of police headquarters, a struggle ensued between the two when Officer Graham was shot in the head. He was transported to General Hospital where he died from his wound nearly three hours later. The suspect, 28, fled the scene but was apprehended two days later after police received a tip on where he was hiding. He was committed at Beatty Mental Hospital. In 1969 he was deemed fit to stand trial, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. In 1972 he received a new trial and was again sentenced to life. In 1986 he had a parole hearing. The outcome is unknown. Officer Graham had served with the Indianapolis Police Department for nine years. He was a US Navy veteran of World War II and the recipient of the Victory Medal and five Bronze Stars.

Survivors

Officer Graham was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IN-2CE8A2CB
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.
Officer Graham gave the Indianapolis Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis Police Dept.

Location Indianapolis, IN

Platform Identity ipd.marion.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 12, 1965

Tour of Duty 9 yrs

Age 38

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

Thomas R. Graham served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Officer Thomas R. Graham 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 Indianapolis Police Dept., 38 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.4% of this agency's fallen.

Indianapolis Police Dept.

of 59 officers

64.4% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious