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Incident
Deputy Edward Byrne was shot and killed while responding to a robbery call at a local tavern at 9 am. Upon his arrival, he stopped a vehicle at the 6300 block of east 10th Street that was leaving the tavern. He had returned to his patrol car when he was shot by one of its occupants. Deputy Byrne was known for wearing his campaign hat, and as he sat in his patrol car, it was thought that the brim of his hat did not permit him to observe the suspects' movement outside when he was shot. Three suspects were apprehended. One pleaded guilty to armed robbery. The second received life with eligibility for parole in 15 years and died in prison. Those two testified against the third subject, who was convicted and sentenced to death. He spent 14 years appealing his sentence and going back and forth to a mental institution before being convicted and given life. He died in 1995. Deputy Byrne had served with the Marion County Sheriff's Department for only nine months.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Byrne served with the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Byrne.
— 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.
Edward is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward 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 1961, 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 1961, 7 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 23. 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. Edward had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Edward was 23. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Edward was 23. 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. Edward had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 23. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 11.1% of these deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 22.2%. Sundays: 33.3%.
April holds 8.7% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 17.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. 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 34,117 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, Edward 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 54-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.
