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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Durm succumbed to injuries he sustained at about 11:30 am when he was attacked by a prisoner attempting to escape from the Community Justice Campus at 675 Justice Way in Indianapolis.
He was returning the murder suspect from the hospital when the man violently assaulted him in the detention center's sallyport. The prisoner wrapped the handcuff chain, linking it around Deputy Durm's neck, with both of them falling to the ground during the struggle. As soon as Deputy Durm stopped moving, the prisoner unlocked his handcuffs, then stole one of the sheriff's vans but crashed outside the complex during his escape attempt.
Deputy Durm was transported to Eskenazi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The prisoner was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and has been charged with murder.
Deputy Durm had served with the Marion County Sheriff's Office for 38 years. He is survived by his four children and parents. His father and two brothers and two brotehrs laos served with the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his four children and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
38 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Durm gave the Marion County Sheriff's Office 38 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Durm.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Marion County Sheriff's Department has lost 12 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2023, 1 officer at Marion County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 2023, 5 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 2023, 61 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2023, 68 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 61. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Marion County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 38; the middle age was 28. John had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
John was 61. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 61. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 61. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.1% of these deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 22.2%. Mondays: 22.2%.
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Mondays: 12.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 12 deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Marion County Sheriff's Department has 12 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Edward G. Byrne
Apr 16, 1961
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Jimmie Van Wingate
Jun 14, 1970
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Floyd Thomas Settles
Feb 24, 1972
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Robert C. Atwell
Nov 7, 1972
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Terry L. Baker
Jan 2, 1981
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Gerald L. Morris
Jan 2, 1981
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Thurman Earl Sharp
Dec 25, 1988
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Arvin E. Kays
May 26, 1990
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Paul Joseph Ernst
Mar 21, 1992
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Jason Matthew Baker
Sep 17, 2001
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Kay Carolyn Gregory
May 10, 2002
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John Durm
Jul 10, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Marion County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
