Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Hugh Burns was shot and killed while investigating the sounds of gunfire while he was off duty. He was sitting on his front porch when he heard a commotion and a gunshot come from in front of a saloon at the corner of Garden Street and Tennessee Street (modern-day Capitol Avenue). When he went to investigate he observed a man holding a revolver and yelling at bystanders. Despite being unarmed, Officer Burns approached the man, put his hand on his shoulder and informed him he was under arrest. The man immediately shot Officer Burns in the chest, just below the neck, killing him instantly. The subject fled the scene but was arrested a short time later. He was charged with murder but acquitted at trial after claiming self-defense. Officer Burns had been appointed to the Indianapolis Police Department only three months prior.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-9845B2C7- 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
144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Burns served with the Indianapolis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Hugh Burns 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hugh Burns's cause is highlighted.
How Hugh Burns Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hugh Burns is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hugh Burns was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Indianapolis Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
