Columbus Division of Police, Ohio
End of Watch: Thursday, January 6, 2005
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: 2057
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 6, 2005
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to Death
Police Officer Bryan Hurst was shot and killed during the robbery of a bank on East Broad Street.
Officer Hurst was working special duty inside the bank when a man entered, announced a robbery, and then immediately opened fire on him. One of the rounds struck Officer Hurst in the upper chest area, just above his vest.
Despite being mortally wounded, Officer Hurst was able to return fire and wound the suspect in the chest. The wound prevented the suspect from obtaining any money or injuring anyone else.
The 30-year-old suspect fled but was apprehended three days later. He was charged with murder and three counts of bank robbery. He was convicted in federal court of murdering Officer Hurst, two counts of bank robbery, and was subsequently sentenced to death. He is in a federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Officer Hurst was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Columbus Division of Police for eight years. He is survived by his wife and 6-month-old daughter.