INDIANAPOLIS — Wednesday marks 10 years since IMPD Ofc. Rod Bradway was killed in the line of duty.
"I remember that morning. I remember getting that page," IMPD Chief Randal Taylor said.
Bradway was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call at the Eagle Pointe Apartment complex on the city's northwest side.
"The suspect, Steven Byrdo, a 24-year-old convicted felon, was standing behind the door and ambushed Officer Bradway as he entered the apartment," IMPD Commander Lorenzo Lewis said. "The fatal shot went just above officer Bradway's body armor and into his chest."
Bradway risked his life to save a mother and her child.
"He gave the ultimate sacrifice for someone he didn't even know. But that's just the way he was," Taylor said.
IMPD Northwest District came together for Bradway's family to honor him during middle shift roll call on Sept. 20, 2023.
"It's been 10 years, and he will not be forgotten, ever," Ofc. Ryan Deakin said.
A new memorial sign was unveiled with Bradway's photo and his end of watch: Sept. 20, 2013.
"We all kind of put our ideas together, and I got ahold of DPW, and (they) sent me a couple of different proofs," Deakin said.
Deakin and others in the department made it happen.
A second honor was a memorial stone placed next to the peace bench for an officer who "faithfully served" his community until the day he died. Deakin said Wednesday's memorial sent a message to younger officers.
"It shows that this can happen. This is real. Officer Bradway gave the ultimate sacrifice, and it's a possibility every day you put on this uniform," Deakin said.
"We should never forget what those like Rod have done, given their lives for this city, for the people and for this department," Taylor said.
You can see the memorial sign or stone dedicated to Ofc. Rod Bradway at the Northwest District police station near Lafayette and Georgetown roads.