Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer John DeRossette was shot by one of two robbery suspects whom he was attempting to arrest and search at Brightwood and Roosevelt avenues. The shot entered Officer DeRossette's back and lodged in his abdomen. He was transported to City Hospital and succumbed to his injuries six days later. One of the suspects was sentenced to life in prison and the second received a 14 year sentence for robbery. The 19-year-old suspect sentenced to life was paroled on April 1, 1929, because he was near death from tuberculosis. He died five days later. Officer DeRossette had served with the Indianapolis Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-4C11E9EF- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer DeRossette gave the Indianapolis Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer DeRossette.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer John P. DeRossette 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 97,756 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 Indianapolis Police Department, 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John P. DeRossette's cause is highlighted.
How John P. DeRossette Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John P. DeRossette is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John P. DeRossette was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Indianapolis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
