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Incident
Lieutenant Earl Sharp was shot and killed while checking several buildings on foot in the early morning hours of Christmas Day while working a second employment job. It is believed that he interrupted a burglary of a gun store that was adjacent to the property he was patrolling at 9300 Priority Way West Drive. After being shot, Lieutenant Sharp was dragged to a remote entrance of a building and left for dead. His patrol car was then hidden behind a dumpster in an area with heavy equipment. He was found by his relief officer, who was to work the day shift. Lieutenant Sharp had worked the late shift on Christmas Eve to allow another officer to be home with his family. Lieutenant Sharp had served with the Marion County Sheriff's Department for 22 years. He was survived by his wife, five children, and grandchildren. His brother-in-law, Deputy Chief Gary L. Martin of the Lake County Sheriff's Department, was killed in the line of duty on August 22, 2006, along with Indiana State Police Lieutenant Gary Dudley.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, and grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Sharp gave the Marion County Sheriff's Office 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Sharp.
— 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.
Thurman is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Thurman is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thurman is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1988, 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 1988, 4 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1988, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1988, 105 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 58th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thurman was 55. 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. Thurman had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Thurman was 55. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thurman had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thurman was 55. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thurman had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thurman was 55. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thurman had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.1% of these deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 22.2%. Sundays: 33.3%.
December holds 10% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 17.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 12 deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Marion County Sheriff's Department has 12 officers remembered here, Thurman 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 44-W
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.
