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Incident
Officer Bret Sunner was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance. His 45-year-old killer was sentenced to life imprisonment. He died in prison on January 4, 2015. Officer Sunner had served with the Cedar Rapids Police Department for 3 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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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 Sunner gave the Cedar Rapids Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cedar Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Sunner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cedar Rapids Police Department has lost 6 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Bret is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Bret is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bret 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 1984, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bret was 25. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Bret had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Bret was 25. 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. Bret had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bret was 25. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bret had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.5% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Fridays: 14%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Cedar Rapids Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 11.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Cedar Rapids Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Bret among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Cedar Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
