Police Officer
Eryk Todd Heck
Allen County Sheriff's Department
Friday, August 15, 1997

Age: 27
Served: 4 years, 10 months
Badge #: 188
Panel 36E, Line 20
Panel L22, Line 4

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Friday, August 15, 1997
01:10 am
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
Abandoned railroad right-of-way south of Till Road
Incident County:
Allen
Incident Township:
Washington
Weapon Used:
Handgun
Suspect Disposition:
Killed by police
Burial Place:
Highland Park Cemetery, Fort Wayne

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   Officer Eryk Heck was shot and killed and another officer was shot and wounded after responding to a burglary in progress on a northwestern rural county road.

   While investigating the burglary, the two officers discovered a truck parked in a remote area near the home. As the officers watched the truck, the 27-year-old male suspect appeared and the second officer approached to question him. The suspect immediately opened fire, striking the second officer in the arm and knocking him to the ground.

   Officer Heck then got in front of the wounded officer and returned fire when he was shot in the neck, jaw and leg. He was able to shoot and kill the suspect but Officer Heck was pronounced dead upon arrival at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne.

   Officer Heck, from Fort Wayne, was survived by his wife, 11-month-old daughter, parents and seven sisters. His mother had also served with the Allen County Sheriff's Department.

Memorial Tribute

• In 1999, State Road 3 between Interstate 69 north to the county line was dedicated the Eryk Todd Heck Memorial Highway in his honor.



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Police Officer Eryk Todd Heck - Allen County Sheriff's Department - INLEM.org