Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Paul Budich was shot and killed at a soft drink parlor located at 3547 Pennsylvania Ave. in an area of Indiana Harbor then known as ''New Mexico.'' Patrolman Budich was patrolling his beat when he began pursuit of a suspicious person whom he thought might be carrying a concelaed weapon. When Patrolman Budich entered the parlor in pursuit, the suspect shot him. Patrolman Budich had been rounding up suspects in the shootings earlier that week of three Gary police officers, all of whom recovered. After being shot, Patrolman Budich was taken to Mercy Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds ten days later. The suspect who killed Patrolman Budich was shot and wounded by police. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death via the electric chair, which was carried out on April 15, 1925. Patrolman Budich served in law enforcement for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two young daughters is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Hammond, Indiana.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-8475109A- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Budich gave the East Chicago Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the East Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Budich.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Paul Budich 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 East Chicago Police Department, 8 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Paul Budich's cause is highlighted.
How Paul Budich Compares
Offender Outcome
Deceased
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Budich is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Budich was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from East Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
