Prev Next
Hugh Burns
Agency patch
Officer

Hugh Burns

Indianapolis Police Department — Indianapolis, IN
Felonious
United States flag Indiana flag
End of Watch August 28, 1882
Age 34
Tour of Duty 3 mo
The Vigil Panel 7 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 58

Incident

Officer Hugh Burns was shot and killed while investigating the sounds of gunfire while he was off duty. He was sitting on his front porch when he heard a commotion and a gunshot come from in front of a saloon at the corner of Garden Street and Tennessee Street (modern-day Capitol Avenue). When he went to investigate he observed a man holding a revolver and yelling at bystanders. Despite being unarmed, Officer Burns approached the man, put his hand on his shoulder and informed him he was under arrest. The man immediately shot Officer Burns in the chest, just below the neck, killing him instantly. The subject fled the scene but was arrested a short time later. He was charged with murder but acquitted at trial after claiming self-defense. Officer Burns had been appointed to the Indianapolis Police Department only three months prior.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtr2ezak9ee7ahd41n6na
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Hugh. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Burns served with the Indianapolis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Indianapolis Police Department
Type Other
Location Indianapolis, Marion County, IN
Platform Identity ipd.marion.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 28, 1882
Tour of Duty 3 mo
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Hugh is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
  4. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1882, 45 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Hugh was 34. 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. Hugh had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Indianapolis Police Department has 59 officers remembered here, Hugh among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Officer Hugh Burns

Indianapolis Police Department · End of Watch August 28, 1882

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W

↑