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Incident
Detective Julius Gunther was shot and killed as he and his partner searched an apartment building for a wanted suspect. The suspect was convicted of Detective Gunther's murder and later died while still in prison. Detective Gunther had served with the Gary Police Department for three years. He is buried at Tolleston Cemetery in Gary, Indiana.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Detective Gunther gave the Gary Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gary community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Gunther.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gary Police Department has lost 15 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Julius is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Julius is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Julius 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 1921, 1 officer at Gary Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 5 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Julius was 33. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Gary Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 44.5; the middle age was 34.5. Julius had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 13 years.
Julius was 33. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Julius had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Julius was 33. 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. Julius had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Julius was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Julius had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 10% of these deaths at Gary Police Department; January holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 10%.
September holds 8.7% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Fridays: 11%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 15 deaths at Gary Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Gary Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Julius among them.
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Edward Wilson Sep 9, 1913
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Julius Gunther
Sep 16, 1921
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Pearl Agnes Lanham
Mar 12, 1930
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James L. Kelly
Mar 31, 1932
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Walter Poturalski
Aug 8, 1935
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Elza O'Dell
Jan 31, 1953
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John Edward Moore
Aug 4, 1955
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Michael G. Rusnak
Jun 11, 1966
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George W. Lowe, Sr.
Jun 2, 1970
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James R. Boyce, Jr.
Oct 5, 1974
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George Yaros
Aug 11, 1981
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Dorian David Rorex
Jan 15, 1998
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Louis William Donald, Jr.
Aug 27, 2001
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Benjamin Wilcher, Jr.
Aug 12, 2007
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Jeffrey Brady Westerfield
Jul 6, 2014
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Gary Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
