Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Michael Deno was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop on a man he knew was driving with a suspended license.
During the stop, the suspect, 24, produced a .25-caliber handgun from his rear pocket and shot Officer Deno in the right side of his head. Officer Deno was transported to a local hospital where he died the next morning.
The suspect fled the scene, but was arrested about an hour later and charged with murder. In December 2000, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus 20 years for drug possession.
Officer Deno had served with the Oakland City Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, brothers and sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-56430C5E- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Michael. 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
You barely got started.
Patrol Officer Deno gave the Oakland City Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Oakland City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Deno.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrol Officer Michael Edward Deno 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael Edward Deno's cause is highlighted.
How Michael Edward Deno Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Edward Deno is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.