Honor Book memorializes fallen officers

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - In Indiana, 400 law enforcement officers have given their lives in the line of duty, and 55 of those are here in Indianapolis.

For the first time, there is one book that tells all the stories of Indianapolis officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.  

It's called the Honor Book.

"This book is always open to the anniversary date of the next officer's tragic death. Because the theme is, always open, always remembering," says Sgt. John Arvin, of IMPD internal affairs. 

He put all the information he could find about Indianapolis' fallen officers in one book. He called it, The Honor Book. 

"Perpetuate the honor number one. And perpetuate the learning from it so it doesn't happen again," he says.

In the book, there are names, faces and stories, like Teresa Hawkins, killed Aug. 17, 1993.

"On another run. 38th and Emerson, a drunk driver pulls out from the side street and t-bones her," says Arvin.

Another is Jake Laird.

"Jake was Aug. 18, 2004. 197 yards by a high profile rifle," says Arvin. 

Each officer is remembered and each story is a lesson. Matt Faeber was shot on Aug. 14, 1988.

"The run was a barking dog," says Arvin. "He wasn't wearing his vest in August because it was hot. Got shot in the back with a shotgun, died nine days later," he says. 

David Moore was on Jan. 26, 2011.

"David Moore – what he ran 20 plates, seven traffic stops that day, shot by a 60-year-old grandfather. Bet David Moore didn't think the guy that's going to kill me today is a 60-year-old grandfather," says Arvin.

A copy of the honor book is now in all seven IMPD Districts. It is available for officers to read at roll call. Officer Shanan Abney of the Southwest District says there is much to learn from the Honor Book. 

"I think these things are very important, keep this in front of your mind. And not get complacent, not get in a routine to the point where you're not thinking that this job can be very dangerous within seconds," she says.

The book is 146 pages, but it is loose bound. If there are other officers killed, their stories will be added.