Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am the granddaughter of this murdered officer. With all the advances in forensic science, I hope that someday my mom will know what happened to her Father that day on Christmas so long ago. I am sure people would donate to have DNA run on this case. It sad to believe someone did this and got to live their lives while I never had the opportunity to know my grandfather. There has to be something left to find who did this!

Michaela Thomas
Granddaughter

April 30, 2024

Rest in peace Lt. Sharp.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 27, 2021

Faithful Unto Death | Eternal Rest | Salute

S. I. Drake - Lt/IPD | IMPD (Ret)

December 25, 2021

Faithful Unto Death | Eternal Rest | Salute

S. I. Drake - Lt/IPD | IMPD (Ret)

December 25, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 22, 2020

I was there that cold Christmas morning and sadly stood by the lifeless body of Lt. Thurman Sharpe. He always looked the same anytime you saw him. Uniform sharp & neat, buttons and brass shinning and everything in places. He was proud of being and representing the Sheriff.
For 32 Years mow, I have gone over and over of what we found and what we thought but never could prove, wishing I could go back in time and do more. Like Monday morning quarterbacking.
This case will never end till we close the case with an arrest or factual evidence found of who was responsible for this Murder.
Luckily now my son Lt Kerry Buckner,IMPD is looking and working cold cases. I pray that new information arrises which will lead to new avenues in the investigator that will bring closure.
NEVER FORGOTTEN.
I'll never forget,!

Capt. Norman Buckner
MCSO

May 11, 2020

Faithful Unto Death | Eternal Rest | Salute

S. I. Drake - Lt/IPD | IMPD (Ret)

December 25, 2019

Faithful Unto Death | Eternal Rest | Salute

S. I. Drake - Lt/IPD | IMPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

December 24, 2018

I guess I will never know why this happened or who did it. It has never left my mind and still hurts me today, just as it did then. I hope one day someone will talk with a fellow officer and this case will be solved. It must hurt the MCSD to know this one got away.

Charles E. Sharp
Son

October 1, 2018

I first met Lt. Sharp in the summer of 1976 while serving as a Deputy Sheriff, Badge #585 with the Marion County Sheriff's Department. Later, I worked for Lt. Sharp, where he served as the 2nd Shift Commander of the Jail Division. He was always professional, friendly, fair and helpful to all. Lt. Sharp was very proud of being a member of the MCSD and the Law Enforcement Profession.

My condolences to his Family and loved ones.

May He Rest In Peace.

Deputy Scott Goodman (1976 -1980)
Marion County Sheriff's Department, Indianapolis, Indiana

January 20, 2018

NEVER FORGOTTEN!
Cops Cycling for Survivors
www.copscycling4survivors.org

Monica Zahasky
Cops Cycling for Survivors

December 25, 2017

Faithful Unto Death | Eternal Rest | Salute!

S. I. Drake, Lt/IPD-IMPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

December 24, 2017

Eternal Rest

S. I. Drake, Lt/IPD-IMPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

December 24, 2016

My faithful servant.
You were called upon to serve others.
You were asked to see, what no man should ever have to see.
To go through, what no man should ever have to go through.
But you did so with pride, honor, and integrity.

My faithful servant.
You were called upon to defend those, who could not defend themselves.
To provide justice to those, who did not respect it.
To lay down your life, if the time called for it.
Again, you did not question what was asked of you.
You did it with love, compassion, and loyalty.

My faithful servant.
In times of adversity, you prayed for strength.
In times of triumph, you praised your Lord.
You served your Country, State, and city proud.
Your service will forever be remembered by the many lives you’ve touched.

My faithful servant.
When your service on this earth is finally complete.
I will welcome you home with open arms.
I will embrace you and proclaim,
“Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

RIP my brother, the Lord has taken you home.

Sergeant Barton
Garden City Police Department

December 4, 2016

Eternal Rest

S. I. Drake, Lt/IPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

December 25, 2015

Eternal Rest

S. I. Drake, Lt/IPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

December 25, 2014

This is J. Finley, I worked at the county jail under Lt. T. E. Sharp's supervision. I also; in 2o11 worked as security officer at, "That Place." West Priority Way. This is the office park, street that My Lt. was shot ,and killed.
On that first Christmas 2o11 of me working security on location I lit a blessed holy candle on Christmas eve( late). Right before midnight in my patrol car. This was a memorial; My Memorial celebration of another anaversary date, of my supervisor Lt. Sharp. I prayed all night , and sung church hyms for Lt. Sharp that Christmas eve night and, the next night Christmas (all night long). I, (that patrol night 2o11.) I took a picture of my lit burning memorial holy candle in my patrol car. This picture(of the patrolled night lit on Dec. 25, 2o11 at 00:01 is now shown on my Facebook page cover photo. This picture was put up late last week on my cover photo fb page. I will keep the light burning through my Lt. Sharps anaversary. God Rest Your Soul, Lt. Sharp, another year with our Lord's graces, Amen
I ,John Finley, thank God at this time for the opportunity to have not only to have worked under Lt. Sharp, but unlike any other MCSD Officer had the honors of working security, and patrol this business park nightly as did Lt. Sharp had so many years prior to my presence at that very same park.

Jail Ops.John Finley
Marion County Indiana Sheriff Dept.

December 24, 2014

You are remembered on this Christmas Day and the anniversary of your murder. I can't imagine what your family goes thru every Christmas. May God give them peace. It's got to be hard to lose one LEO in the line of duty, but your family lost two LEO's in the line of duty. I've read reflections on this site that your brother in law left for other officers before his own EOW... Just know that you and your Brother in law are still HEROES and will not be forgotten! Your killer will be brought to justice!

Fmr. Sheriff's Deputy
Marion County Sheriff, Indiana

December 25, 2013

Rest in peace sir

Officer Shannon Yates
University of Southern Miss Police Department

December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas Thurman Earl. It has been twenty five years. I send you my prayers and blessings. Watch over Charles and the girls. Help the children's hearts be a little lighter this season. With Love and Hope everything is possible.

To the other Southern Gentleman with you watch over your families.

Olga Martin - Police Survivor
Spouse of Gary Martin EOW 8-22-2006

December 24, 2013

The Lt. was my shift Commander while I was assigned to the Jail Division in the mid 1970s and I was considered his problem child. Lt. T worked with me a lot more than I felt like I deserved. I honestly believed that he was to kind to be a officer. I really pictured the Lt. as a religious. A kind word for all he had contact with including the persons in custody. The officer has to temper his demanor with a certain amount of understanding and compassion during the performance of his duties. NO BETTER EXAMPLE than the Lieutenant. The Officers Officer.12/25/1988 10-42

Deputy Randall Elliott
Marion County Sheriff Dept

December 17, 2013

I new the Lt from his part time work and visited him acouple time on Late shift at the Jail. Lt. Sharp was a kind man and was always there for anyone. His death was senseless and cruel to all who knew him. Lt. you are at home with another friend, Division Chief David Edwards, who was taken in a fire in Feb. of 1988. I was a firefighter and a reserve Deputy Town Marshal. Watch over all of us, you are our Guardian Angels. Thank you

Ron Thomas
CFD & CPD

October 10, 2012

Thank you Sir, for your dedication and outstanding service, RIP

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

August 22, 2012

IM retired from Marion County Sheriffs dept. since 2007. In 1986 Lt Sharp was my suporvisor. He was the best. he was a calm loving suporvisor_ he always had time to listen. For years i dreamed that Lt was killed in a business park on 82nd st. ..... well as I have just found out .the location that I now work. security is the location property where our Lt. was shot and killed. I walk the same walk that my Lt walked and i drive the same dr. he was killed at 9300 w. priority way dr. im at that brick wall every night i work. I never knew. that sidewalk was his bodys final resting spot. now I know . I just found out on todays shiift.I pray and will keep that walk sacred. Thats where my lt. went home from our work site. Lt. worksite. lt. your now gone home your 10 42 J Finley your current replacement for this work location. the same shift he worked i now work. this x mas I will be in prayer for our Lt

deputy John Finley
Marion County Sheriff dept

July 10, 2011

Lt. Sharp,
Thinking of you sir!

The following was printed on Channel 6 News website:

INDIANAPOLIS -- Christmas marks an anniversary that veteran members of the Marion County Sheriff's Department don't want to remember but can't forget.

Lieutenant Thurman Sharp was fatally shot on Dec. 25, 1988, but the anniversary has a different feel to it this year, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported.

This Christmas, more than any other in the past, there's hope that the case could be solved, according to both people who were there 22 years ago and those who are working the case now.

Sharp was working a part-time security job near 96th Street and Keystone Avenue early Christmas morning, with plans to return home later in the day.

A shooter or shooters killed Sharp by shooting him twice in the head at point blank range and once in the stomach sometime between 4 and 6 a.m. in a driveway at 9300 Priority Way. Sharp's body was dragged behind a barrier, and his patrol car was hidden behind a building.

"It's one of the things I remember most in my time as sheriff," said Joe McAtee. "The wife knew that when the chaplain and I walked up, she knew why we were there Christmas morning. That's a bad thing to have to do."

Investigators called Sharp's assassination ruthless, cold and vicious.

The investigation is now in the hands of the Indianapolis Metro Police Cold Case Unit. Investigators re-interviewed original witnesses and resubmitted forensic and DNA evidence for additional testing.

Detectives who have been working the case won't give specifics, but there are indications of progress.

"There's some new additional information that we're working on," said IMPD Deputy Chief William Benjamin. "This case will never die until those responsible are put in prison."

Police said they will talk to another of the original witnesses within the next week or two.

Deputy Randy Bennett
Henry County Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)

December 25, 2010