Memorial honors late Marion Co. Sheriff’s Deputy John Durm

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — “John was just a good guy. He really was. 38 years, you can’t give that much law enforcement to the community and (it not) mean something,” Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal said of sheriff’s deputy John Durm.

61-year-old Durm died Monday after an inmate attacked him and took control of a Marion County Sheriff’s Office van just before 11:30 a.m.

The inmate, identified as 34-year-old Orlando Mitchell, stole the van and drove it out of the Criminal Justice Center Complex. He crashed nearby in the 3000 block of Prospect Street.

A memorial for Durm, which includes his van, had been set up outside the Criminal Justice Center in the northeast corner public parking area. The sheriff’s office announced shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday that the van had been relocated to the west side of the Criminal Justice Center’s turnaround, located off the entrance on Pleasant Run Parkway.

Community members were welcome to visit and pay their respects.

Indianapolis City-County Council members paid their respects to Durm during Monday night’s meeting with a moment of silence in his honor.

News 8’s Gregg Montgomery provided updates to this story.

Additional coverage

Social media post

“The Deputy John Durm Memorial Fund has been established by the Central Indiana Police Foundation. All donations will support Deputy Durm’s family.

“DO NOT contribute electronically to any other sites claiming to benefit Deputy Durm.

“Please use the official link below if you would like to support Deputy Durm’s loved ones:

https://cipf.foundation/the-deputy-john-durm-memorial-fund/

Facebook post from Marion County Sheriff’s Office (IN) at 3:12 p.m. July 11, 2023