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Update (Friday, September 20, 2013 at 5:23pm)

IMPD Homicide Detectives have been steadily working through the day to investigate the death of Officer Rod Bradway. Through the course of their investigation, it’s been determined that Officer Bradway had arrived to investigate a reported disturbance at 6720 Eagle Pointe Drive. When he heard a woman screaming for help inside the apartment, he forced entry to the apartment to the help the victim.

The suspect, 24-year-old Steven Byrdo, was waiting behind the apartment door and as Officer Bradway entered the apartment, the suspect shot Officer Bradway, inflicting a mortal wound. Officer Bradway returned fire, striking the suspect, before he fell to the ground. A second officer was arriving at the scene as the events were unfolding. When the suspect turned towards the second officer, the officer shot and killed the suspect.

The suspect had been holding a woman and her infant hostage in the hours preceding this incident. The suspect has also fired his weapon at her before IMPD arrived on the scene. IMPD Chief Rick Hite stated, “We are very proud of Officer Bradway, he did the job that he was trained to do.” said IMPD Chief Rick Hite, “We believe that he saved lives by his actions this morning.”

The IMPD is humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support and prayers for our officers from the community. And as a result of the overwhelming support and the expressed desire to help Officer Bradway’s family, there has been a fund established for them at the Professional Police Officers Credit Union located at 1502 E. Washington Street in Indianapolis, IN tx 317-327-2600.


Indianapolis – At approximately 1:52 am, officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) were dispatched to the 6700 blk. of Eagle Pointe Dr. (Eagle Point Apartments) reference a disturbance.

When the first arriving officer arrived, he heard screams for “help” from an unidentified woman who was inside an apartment. The officer fearing for the safety of this woman made entry. As the officer entered the apartment, gunshots were exchanged between the officer and the suspect and the officer was struck with gunfire. The officer was transported to Wishard Memorial Hospital in critical condition where he later died as a result of his injuries. The officer has been identified as 41-year-old Rod Bradway a 5-year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Officer Bradway was a highly decorated officer having just been awarded the IMPD’s Medal of Bravery. Officer Bradway leaves to cherish in his memory a wife and two teenage children, and is from Nappanee, Indiana.

"We have lost a true hero today in Officer Bradway…please keep his family and the IMPD family in your thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks that lie ahead” said IMPD Chief Rick Hite.

Investigators have not yet identified the suspect who was also fatally shot and killed in the exchange of gunfire with police. Investigators are also working to ascertain the exact circumstances of the shooting, and have detained the woman, who was not injured, for questioning. Further updates will be provided as they become available.