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Incident
Police Officer Eryk Heck was shot and killed, and another officer was shot and wounded after responding to a burglary in progress at a home off of Billy Drive. While investigating the burglary at 1:30 am, the two officers discovered a truck parked on an abandoned railroad right of way off Till Road, approximately one mile from the home. As the officers watched the truck, the suspect appeared, and the second officer approached to question him. The suspect immediately opened fire, striking the second officer in the arm and knocking him to the ground. Officer Heck then got in front of the wounded officer and returned fire before being shot in the neck, leg, and jaw. He was able to shoot and kill the suspect before succumbing to his injuries. Officer Heck was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Officer Heck had served with the Allen County Sheriff's Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, 11-month-old daughter, parents, and seven sisters. His mother had also served with the Allen County Sheriff's Department. In 1999, State Road 3 between I-69 north to the county line was dedicated the Eryk T. Heck Memorial Highway in his honor.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 11-month-old daughter, parents, and seven sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Heck gave the Allen County Sheriff's Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Wayne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Heck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Allen County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Eryk is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Eryk is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eryk 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 1997, 5 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1997, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1997, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Eryk was 27. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Eryk had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Eryk was 27. 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. Eryk had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eryk was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Eryk had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.1% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Fridays: 11%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Allen County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.8% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Allen County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Eryk among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Allen County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
