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Procession set for IMPD officer shot, killed while responding to domestic violence call

IMPD Ofc. Breann Leath died at Eskenazi Hospital after she was shot responding to a domestic violence call on the east side.

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — IMPD's police chief reports an officer shot on the east side Thursday has died.

Officer Breann Leath, 24, was responding to a domestic incident at an apartment at 1803 Edinburge Square when she was shot. She was rushed to Eskenazi Hospital, but she did not survive.

The public is encouraged to pay respects to Leath — while still practicing social distancing — during a procession from the Marion County Coroner's Office to Crown Hill Cemetery Friday.

IMPD East District officers will drive from the IMPD Academy at 10th Street and Post Road to the coroner's office downtown. From there, police will escort Leath's body to Crown Hill Cemetery.​

IMPD said the public is welcome to stand along the route while at a safe distance from otheres.

Officer Leath is a graduate of Southport High School, served in the Indiana National Guard out of Camp Atterbury from 2014-2017 and was a mother.

The National Guard released the following statement following her death:

We are saddened to learn about the loss of Breann Leath, a fellow citizen soldier. Our deepest condolences go out to her family and friends during this difficult time.

Breann honorably served in the Indiana National Guard, assigned to the 387th Military Police Company at Camp Atterbury from March 2014 - April 2017. She was honorably discharged as a specialist.

Her teammates were devastated to hear of her passing. They reminisce of her journey and strong desires to serve her community and country as a selfless citizen. She had a positive impact on not only her fellow soldiers, but the many others in which she served.

Leath had been an officer with IMPD for two years, graduating withe the department's 16th Recruit Class in November 2018.

The mayor is asking for flags to be lowered to half-staff in her honor.


"She is the example of the type of officer we want in this department," said IMPD Chief Randal Taylor.

Officer Leath comes from a law enforcement family. Her father is a deputy with the Marion County Sheriff's Office and her mother is a 911 dispatcher.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a statement on Leath's death Thursday evening.

“Officer Leath gave her life as she answered the call of duty. Janet and I are heartbroken for her family, friends and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. I ask every Hoosier to join me in honoring Officer Leath’s courageous service and dedication to her community. She will be forever remembered for being the finest among us.”

Officer Leath is the fourth IMPD officer killed in the line of duty in the past nine years, but the first in the last six.

Officer Perry Renn was killed on July 5, 2014 responding to an anonymous call about shots fired. Less than a year before that, Officer Rod Bradway was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call.

In January 2011, Officer David Moore was shot and killed during a traffic stop.

Prior to Officer Moore's death, it had been more than six years since the previous line of duty death, when Officer Timothy "Jake" Laird was shot and killed responding to reports of gunfire on August 18, 2004.

A female victim in the apartment was also shot and taken to the hospital. Police did not have an update on her condition, but did not believe her injuries were life-threatening.

The suspect is in custody.

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