Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Edward Petticord and Officer Charles Russell were shot near 24th Street and Indianapolis Avenue after the officers stopped two men for questioning. Both officers were rushed to a local hospital where Officer Russell died a short time later and Officer Petticord succumbed to his wounds two days later. One of the suspects was apprehended the next day and subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On February 8, 1907, he was the last person to be executed by hanging in the state before the method was replaced by electrocution. The second suspect was shot and killed on August 25, 1908, during a shootout with the sheriff and deputies of the Monroe County Sheriff's Department in Kentucky. Officer Petticord had served with the Indianapolis Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by two sisters and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-DED53593- 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 Edward. 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Petticord gave the Indianapolis Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Petticord.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Edward J. Petticord 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. Edward J. Petticord's cause is highlighted.
How Edward J. Petticord Compares
Offender Outcome
One executed, one shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward J. Petticord is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward J. Petticord was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Indianapolis Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
