Top politicians and police officials honored late Beech Grove police officer Brian Elliott May 1 as his wife and family looked on during an annual ceremony for fallen officers.
Elliott’s death in the line of duty at age 33 this February was top of mind during the 50th Annual Peace Officers Memorial Service, hosted Friday by the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 86 at a church on the southeast side.
Known as a playful friend, devoted husband and cigar lover, Elliott died Feb. 16 while responding to a domestic disturbance at a Beech Grove apartment complex. Upon hearing a woman’s screams, officers kicked open a door and Elliott was fatally shot by 47-year-old Kenneth Terrell Johnson, according to law enforcement.
Noting that Johnson has a criminal history from other states, FOP President Rick Snyder on Friday renewed his frequent calls for courts and prosecutors to adopt a tougher approach to repeat offenders.
“Whether concealed by a closed door, hiding in the shadows or standing front and center illuminated by a spotlight, make no mistake: Evil roams amongst us, and is only held at bay by women and men like Officer Elliott,” Snyder said.
Dozens of police officers, bereaved family members and powerful elected officials attended the service, including Indianapolis Democratic Mayor Joe Hogsett, Republican U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve and Indiana Sens. Aaron Freeman and Cyndi Carrasco — two Statehouse Republicans who often scrutinize public safety issues in Indianapolis.
Other deceased officers were honored during the ceremony. As their names were read aloud, current officers and family members placed black flags with a horizontal blue line across the center near the stage, symbolizing law enforcement’s role as the barrier between order and chaos.
Former Indianapolis police chief Chris Bailey — now Hogsett’s chief deputy mayor and chief of staff — recounted his relationship with late colleague and friend Timothy “Jake” Laird, an Indianapolis police officer killed in the line of duty in 2004.
Laird, 31, was fatally shot by a mentally unstable man who also killed his mother and injured four other officers. Laird’s death prompted state lawmakers to pass a “Red Flag Law” that allows law enforcement to seize firearms from potentially dangerous people and enables judges to restrict future purchases.
“These officers served and gave their lives for you. They stood between good and evil on your behalf,” Bailey said. “Their sacrifice reminds us that we are all a part of something bigger, and we are strongest when we all stand together.”
Email Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith at JTSmith@indystar.com. Follow him on X @jordantsmith09 and Bluesky @jordanaccidentally.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fallen Beech Grove police officer Brian Elliott honored alongside Laird
Reporting by Jordan Smith, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
