Retired Indianapolis Firefighters.

06/05/2026

It’s with great sadness that the Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana shares the news of the death of Nathaniel Thomas, an active member of the Indianapolis Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 416. Brother Thomas served both his community and his country as a Sergeant in the Indiana National Guard. He passed away on Thursday while on orders at Fort Bragg.

President Tony Murray and the Executive Board extend their condolences and support to Brother Thomas’ family, friends, the Indianapolis Fire Department, and the Brothers and Sisters of Local 416 during this difficult time.

05/17/2026

NAME: Larry A. Byerly

DOB: 05/05/1957

APPOINTED: 08/01/1979

RETIRED: 09/10/2019

PASSED AWAY: 05/13/2026

BADGE NUMBER: 729



CALLING: Thursday May 21, 2026 from 10:00AM-12:00PM Castleton United Methodist Church 7101 North Shadeland Avenue Indianapolis, Indiana 46250

SERVICE: Thursday May 21, 2026 at 12:00PM Castleton United Methodist Church 7101 North Shadeland Avenue Indianapolis, Indiana 46250

TRIBUTE: Has been assigned to a retiree tribute team member and will be provided LODD honors due to WTC 9/11 exposure and illness presumption

DRIVE BY: IFD Fire Station #17

BURIAL: Carmel Cemetery 1000 North Rangeline Road Carmel, Indiana 46032




LAST ASSIGNMENT: Larry A. Byerly was appointed to the Lawrence Township Fire Department on 08/01/1979. He first served on the Castleton Volunteer Fire Department beginning in May 1975. Larry became a paramedic on 10/01/1984 and remained an active paramedic until retirement. He obtained the rank of Chauffeur early in his career and drove apparatus within the department for nearly 30 years. Larry was the Engineer of Engine 331 A shift in January of 1991, until becoming the Engineer of Engine 331 C shift on 11/01/2006. He moved to drive Engine 332 A shift on 02/10/2007. The merger with the Lawrence Township Fire Department and the Indianapolis Fire took place on 01/01/2011. Larry continued to drive the renamed Engine 17 after the merger. He retired from the Indianapolis Fire Department on 09/10/2019. Larry was a member of the USAR IN-TF1 rescue and recovery team as a Medical Specialist, when they were deployed to NYC during the 09/11/2001 World Trade Center attacks. He enjoyed many outdoor activities in life including water and snow skiing, biking, hiking, and golf. Larry was also a member of Mason Lodge #251 and the Indianapolis Ski Club.

05/15/2026

NAME: John B. Beyer Jr.

DOB: 10/27/1936

APPOINTED: 11/03/1957

RETIRED: 10/27/2006

PASSED AWAY: 05/11/2026

BADGE NUMBER: 21



CALLING: Friday May 15, 2026 from 5:00PM-8:00PM Flanner Buchanan Funeral Center-Broad Ripple 1305 Broad Ripple Avenue Indianapolis, Indiana 46220

SERVICE: Saturday May 16, 2026 at 11:00AM Calvary Cemetery Chapel 435 West Troy Avenue Indianapolis, Indiana 46225

TRIBUTE: Has been assigned to a retiree tribute team member

BURIAL: Calvary Cemetery 435 West Troy Avenue Indianapolis, Indiana 46225



LAST ASSIGNMENT: John B. Beyer Jr. was appointed to the Washington Township Fire Department on 11/03/1957. He obtained every rank within the department during his career, including serving as Chief of Fire from September 1976-January of 1981. In cooperation with St. Vincent Hospital, he started the Washington Township Fire Department paramedic program, which was one of the first fire service-based ALS programs in Indiana. In the 1990’s, this paramedic program was recognized as the top paramedic service in Indiana by the EMS Commission. He was an electrician for over 60 years when he wasn’t on duty as a firefighter. John also spent time as a Special Deputy for the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. John retired on his 70th birthday after serving a few days shy of 49 years on the Washington Township Fire Department.

04/29/2026

Here is a memory for some folks.
September 30, 1979 - 50 South Senate Avenue. Red Garter Lounge. IMPD Archives photograph.

04/21/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1G8wB7gAy1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Celebrate a hero in your community with First Responders Night. Indianapolis-area Fire, Police and EMT and their families are invited to reserve discounted ticket packages to the game, which include a commemorative Indianapolis Indians Challenge Coin.

03/27/2026

https://www.mecum.com/lots/1169383/1979-ford-e-one-custom-fire-truck/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQz7u9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe6KZRiAoL2_J7MsihXMZZsDIAI5OsaN4w_W0nDMWRlBBjA6bJU_O8yDhiXEk_aem_nR7N9VgfydN-eOlE3WKZTw

View the 1979 Ford E-ONE Custom Fire Truck for sale at Indy 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana as G113.

03/24/2026

NAME: John G. Bishop

DOB: 02/19/1941

APPOINTED: 08/10/1966

RETIRED: 01/01/1999

PASSED AWAY: 03/21/2026

BADGE NUMBER: 856

CALLING: Friday March 27, 2026 from 10:00AM-12:00PM Matthews Mortuary 690 East 56th Street Brownsburg, Indiana 46112

SERVICE: Friday March 27, 2026 at 12:30PM St. Malachy Catholic Church 9833 East County Road 750 North Brownsburg, Indiana 46112

TRIBUTE: Has been assigned to a retiree tribute team member

BURIAL: St. Malachy North Cemetery 601 North Green Street Brownsburg, Indiana 46112

LAST ASSIGNMENT: John G. Bishop was appointed to the Indianapolis Fire Department on 08/10/1966. He first served in the United States Army from August 1959-August 1962. John spent his first day assigned to Truck 01 A shift. He was regularly assigned on Engine 30 A shift on 03/25/1968. He moved to Engine 02 A shift on 05/15/1968, Engine 05 A shift on 09/19/1968, before being promoted to Chauffeur and assigned to drive Engine 28 B shift daily on 08/12/1970. John left next to drive Engine 21 A shift on 10/24/1970, Truck 22 A shift on 02/07/1972, Snorkel 13 A shift on 07/25/1973, back to Truck 22 A shift on 12/01/1973, and returned to Snorkel 13 A shift on 05/26/1977. Snorkel 13 was reclassified later as Ladder 13, where he retired from on 01/01/1999. He attended many Haz Mat classes and schools while stationed at the 13s, becoming an Haz Mat technician. John was one of the last active firefighters on IFD to become an EMT in 1997. He was also a member of American Legion Post #331 in Brownsburg Indiana.

03/23/2026

Please keep both Larry Wilkerson and Bob Field in your thoughts with the recent passing of their spouses.

Frances Wilkerson age 76 passed away on 03/19/2026

Judith “Judy” Field age 89 passed away on 03/21/2026


Arrangements for Judy Field
Visitation-Tuesday 03/24/2026
4:00PM-7:00PM
O’Riley-Branson Funeral Home
6107 S. East St.

Additional Visitation-Wednesday 03/25/2026
10:00AM-11:00AM
St. Barnabas Catholic Church
8300 Rahke Rd.

Mass-Wednesday 03/25/2026
11:00AM
St. Barnabas Catholic Church
8300 Rahke Rd.

Burial-Calvary Cemetery
435 W. Troy Ave

03/13/2026

NAME: William A. “Bill” Fowler

DOB: 07/23/1941

APPOINTED: 09/23/1965

RETIRED: 02/01/2007

PASSED AWAY: 03/12/2026

BADGE NUMBER: 763

CALLING: A Celebration of Bill’s Life will occur on Saturday March 21, 2026 from 12:00PM-2:00PM Queen-Lee Funeral Home 431 High Street Shoals, Indiana 47581

TRIBUTE: Has been assigned to a retiree tribute team member

LAST ASSIGNMENT: William A. “Bill” Fowler was appointed to the Indianapolis Fire Department on 09/23/1965. He first served as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps from August 1960-August 1964, then became a Carman on the NYC Railroad. Bill spent his first day on IFD assigned to Engine 20. He was regularly assigned to Engine 05 B shift on 08/10/1966, when the 3rd shift was added to the Suppression Division. Bill transferred to Engine 14 B shift on 03/24/1967 and stayed there for the next 40 years. He was promoted to Chauffeur on 10/06/1971 and began driving Engine 14 B shift daily. Bill graduated both the Marion County B.E.R.T.-Basic Emergency Rescue Technician school in 1993, and the South Bend River Rescue in 1996. He was awarded the Medal of Bravery in December 1995, Certificate of Merit and a Unit Commendation in 2006. Bill retired from the Indianapolis Fire Department on 02/01/2007. He was a Citizens Energy Gas meter reader for many years and enjoyed telling you stories about his routes. Bill was known for his salmon patties with macaroni and cheese for his standard meal at the 14s. He was always trying to complete the crossword puzzles in the morning during his shift. Bill enjoyed working countless hours on his property in Southern Indiana after retirement.

03/10/2026

NAME: Bruce C. Roberts II

DOB: 06/18/1943

APPOINTED: 07/09/1969

RETIRED: 07/22/1999

PASSED AWAY: 03/06/2026
BADGE NUMBER: 256

CALLING: Sunday March 15, 2026 from 1:00PM-5:00PM Crown Hill Funeral Home 700 West 38th Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

ADDITIONAL CALLING: Monday March 16, 2026 from 10:00AM-11:00AM Crown Hill Funeral Home 700 West 38th Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

SERVICE: Monday March 16, 2026 at 11:00AM Crown Hill Funeral Home 700 West 38th Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
TRIBUTE: Has been assigned to a retiree tribute team member

DRIVE BY: IFD Fire Station 20

BURIAL: Crown Hill Cemetery 3400 Boulevard Place Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

LAST ASSIGNMENT: Bruce C. Roberts II was appointed to the Indianapolis Fire Department on 07/09/1969. He first enlisted into the United States Navy on 09/11/1961 until 09/13/1965, earning the Vietnam Combat ribbon. Bruce served on three naval ships during his military service: USS Tortuga, USS Hanson, and USS Rogers. After the Navy, he was accepted to the Indianapolis Fire Department and graduated recruit school after 6 weeks. He was assigned to the B shift on Engine 3 in Battalion 4 for his first day in the Suppression. Bruce subbed around the city for the next 17 months. He was first regularly assigned to Engine 15 B shift, then moved to Truck 17 B shift for about 2 years. Bruce was promoted to Chauffeur on 01/01/1973, and his first driving assignment was becoming the tillerman on Truck 07 C shift for 10 months. He was then transferred to drive Truck 27 B shift. Bruce was among the first EMT’s on the department graduating in the first EMT school in 1973. Bruce was reassigned to Rescue 29 B shift. He was later promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to Engine 9, while it was stationed at the 1’s. Bruce spent time on Rescue 1, then transferred to Ladder 25 B shift in the 1980s, which was eventually moved to Fire Station 20 in the 1990’s. He retired from Ladder 20 B shift on 07/22/1999. Bruce and his sons, all IFD firefighters, owned and operated a successful flooring company for more than 20 years. He was very active after retirement, enjoying golf, car shows, building hot rod cars, and enjoying his family.