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ARCHIVE: Remembering fallen Ofc. Rod Bradway

Posted 8:03 PM, Sep 10, 2015

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Rod Bradway was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance at the Eagle Pointe apartment complex, the same site of Thursday's trooper-involved shooting. 

In the early hours of Sept. 20, 2013, Bradway heard a woman screaming for help inside an apartment in the 6700 block of Eagle Pointe Drive North. He was shot after forcing his way in to help her.

More: IMPD Officer fatally shot in domestic disturbance

More: Police ID suspect killed in officer's slaying

IMAGES: Officer Rod Bradway's visitation

One shot hit Bradway's baseball cap and knocked it off. The other shot went just above his body armor and into his chest, police said.

The suspect inside the apartment, identified as Steven Byrdo, 24, took up a position of ambush as soon as Bradway entered, police said.

Bradway was able to return fire, shooting Byrdo.

When the assisting officers arrived at the apartment, Byrdo was fatally shot.

Officials found out later that Byrdo had been holding his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint inside the apartment for as long as three hours, sources told RTV6.

IMPD Chief Rick Hite said Bradway, a 5-year veteran of the force, was highly decorated and was a past recipient of the Medal of Bravery. He had also served as a member of the Wayne Township Fire Department.

"Blessed are the peacemakers in our community who wear the blue, and thank God for people like Rod in this police department," Hite added.