Officer John L. Sullivan

John L. Sullivan

Officer John Sullivan was shot and killed as he returned home from work and interrupted a 17-year-old youth who had broken into his house and was attacking his wife.

Officer Sullivan, who was still in uniform, entered his bedroom to find his pregnant wife tied up and being raped by the suspect. As his wife yelled he has a gun the suspect shot him in the chest. He was able to return fire and wound the suspect in the arm.

The youth was apprehended a short time later and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in 1978. Three years later he was jailed after being caught for driving without a license and felony possession of a firearm.

Officer Sullivan had served with the Indianapolis Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife.