In the early hours of a snowy April morning in 1910, Indianapolis Police Officer Joseph Krupp, a 28-year-old man, was on patrol in the Haughville railroad yards. It was just after midnight on April 19th when he and his partner, Officer Albert C. Groves, spotted two men lingering suspiciously near the Minker Street intersection of the Belt railroad. The officers were under orders to be on the lookout for burglars who had been active in the city, and these two individuals fit the description of those they were tasked to find.
As the officers approached to question and search the men, the situation took a violent turn. One of the suspects produced a revolver and opened fire. Both officers were struck by the gunfire; Officer Groves was hit by one bullet, while Officer Krupp sustained two gunshot wounds. Despite his injuries, Officer Groves managed to help his wounded partner to his feet and they staggered towards a nearby house to seek help. As they reached the home and called for assistance, Officer Krupp collapsed. The residents brought out blankets to cover him from the falling snow as he was too injured to be moved inside. Officer Groves then ran to find a telephone to alert police headquarters.
A massive search for the two assailants began immediately. The break in the case came from a telegraph operator in Avon, about twelve miles west of Indianapolis. He had seen two men matching the suspects' descriptions enter an abandoned construction shack near the station and promptly notified the authorities. This crucial tip led to the apprehension of the two men later that day. One of the suspects, a 20-year-old, confessed to the shooting. He claimed he was intoxicated and thought Officer Krupp was a 'hold-up man.' Following a change of venue to Boone County, the shooter was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to two to fourteen years in prison; he was ultimately discharged in 1913. The other suspect was also convicted of manslaughter.
Officer Joseph Krupp succumbed to his injuries at 8:00 that morning, just a few hours after the shooting. He had been a member of the Indianapolis Police Department for about a year and left behind a wife and a young child. His funeral was held at Holy Cross Church, and he was laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery. In recognition of his bravery, Officer Krupp's name was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
