Marion F. Cunningham

Lawrenceburg Police Department — Lawrenceburg, IN

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch September 20, 1938

Age 43

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 75 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Patrolman Marion Cunningham was shot and killed by a drunken suspect whom he encountered earlier in the evening. Earlier, Patrolman Cunningham took the man home and informed him he would be arrested if he was seen again. As Patrolman Cunningham continued his patrol he encountered the suspect sitting on the steps of the fire department. As Patrolman Cunningham approached, the man suddenly pulled a handgun and opened fire. Patrolman Cunningham was taken to Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died. The suspect, 28, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on November 13, 1959. Patrolman Cunningham had served with the Lawrenceburg Police Department for three years and was a World War I veteran.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IN-8E43E997
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.
Patrolman Cunningham gave the Lawrenceburg Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lawrenceburg 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 Lawrenceburg Police Department

Location Lawrenceburg, IN

Platform Identity lpd.dearborn.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 20, 1938

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 43

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Paroled in 1959

Military Service

Marion F. Cunningham served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Marion F. Cunningham 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 Lawrenceburg Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Lawrenceburg Police Department

of 4 officers

50% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious