INDIANAPOLIS — A new sign marks the Deputy John Durm Memorial Mile along Interstate 74, near the Acton Road exit.
On July 10, 2023, Marion County Sheriff's Deputy John Durm was killed in the line of duty.
On Wednesday morning, Durm's family and friends gathered at Buck Creek Winery — where the sign for the memorial mile was unveiled.
The memorial sign was made after the Indiana General Assembly voted to create memorial miles for Durm and Indianapolis Police Department Officer Breann Leath in the 2024 legislative session.
The Sheriff's Department released a statement, reading:
"One year ago, Marion County lost an incredibly brave and dedicated public servant in Deputy John Durm. For 38 years, he served the people of our community here at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office – as did several of his family members.
Our hearts remain with his four sons, his brothers, and his mother.
Today, INDOT unveiled the John Durm Memorial Mile on the Southeast side of Indianapolis and our agency revealed Deputy Durm’s official memorial portrait and permanently retired his badge number – 333. In these ways, we intend to keep our promise to never forget Deputy John Durm, his service, or his sacrifice.”
The Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) posted photos of the unveiling on Facebook.
Later, the sheriff's office held its own memorial service, where it unveiled the official fallen deputy portrait for Durm.
Sheriff Kerry Forestal also issued a special order, permanently retiring Durm's badge number — 333.
On July 12, an MCSO honor guard will place Durm's portrait alongside the portraits of other deputies who fell in the line of duty.
The death of Deputy John Durm
Deputy Durm was killed on July 10, 2023. He is survived by a wife, four children, his parents, and several other family members.
The Marion County Coroner's Office ruled Durm's death a homicide and said he died from ligature strangulation.
Officials said Durm, who had been with the sheriff's office for 38 years, was returning from Eskenazi Hospital with an inmate. That inmate, later identified as 34-year-old Orlando Mitchell, allegedly attacked Durm outside of the Criminal Justice Center on Justice Way.
After attacking Durm, officials said Mitchell then took control of the van and drove it out of the Criminal Justice Center, where he crashed right outside the complex along the 3000 block of Prospect Street, near South Keystone Avenue, around 11:30 a.m.
"This isn't his first alleged violent act in this community," Forestal said of Mitchell, who had minor injuries in the crash and was taken to Eskenazi Hospital.
IMPD Assistant Chief of Police Chris Bailey said there is video of the incident.
"The investigation to this point shows clearly this is an intentional homicide and will be investigated as such," Bailey said.
Mitchell has been charged with Durm's murder and is awaiting trial.
Honoring Deputy John Durm
In 2023, many officials issued statements honoring Deputy Durm after his death.
Gov. Eric Holcomb mourned the loss of Deputy Durm in a statement:
“It pains me to attempt putting into words again the unfathomable loss of a man in uniform who was protecting Hoosiers from harm’s way. Marion County sheriff’s deputy John Durm made the ultimate sacrifice, and we owe him our utmost gratitude. Janet and I are praying for his family, loved ones and for the law enforcement community.”
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch also issued a statement Monday:
“The law enforcement family and all of Indiana have suffered yet another tragedy today. Deputy John Durm is the third Hoosier public servant to be killed in the line of duty in the last three weeks. Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for Deputy Durm’s wife and family. I will keep the Eskenazi Hospital staff, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the other first responders and Deputy Durm’s friends and family in my prayers. This is a sad day for Indiana.”
Indianapolis City-County Council minority leader Brian Mowery called Durm's death "heartbreaking:"
"The news of the passing of Deputy John Durm is truly heartbreaking. This incident is another reminder of the gratitude we owe to the law enforcement professionals who work to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe. The loss of Deputy Durm is felt throughout Indianapolis, and we are forever grateful for his thirty-eight years of dedicated service. Please keep Deputy Durm and his family and friends in your prayers at this time."
History of Marion County sheriff's deputy deaths
The last time the Marion County Sheriff’s Office lost a deputy in the line of duty was May 10, 2002. Deputy Kay Gregory died in a crash. She was delivering documents to the courthouse when a driver ran a red light and hit her car.
On Sept. 17, 2001, Deputy Jason Baker was killed in the line of duty after a suspect he had been chasing got out of their car and shot Baker. Michael Shannon pleaded guilty to killing Baker and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Heroes of Public Safety section of Crown Hill was developed after September 11, 2001 and the death of Baker later that week. The idea was to have a section to “memorialize the fallen heroes among public safety personnel locally, statewide and nationally.”