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Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Saturday, June 11, 1966
02:55 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
21st Avenue and Vermont Street, Gary
Incident County:
Lake
Incident Township:
Calumet
Weapon Used:
Pistol
Suspect Disposition:
Died in prison

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Gary Police Department

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Detective Michael George Rusnak

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Detective
Michael George Rusnak
Gary Police Department
Saturday, June 11, 1966

Panel 43W, Line 2
Panel L1, Line 1

   Detective Michael Rusnak was investigating a disturbance when he was shot and killed.

   A manager at the Avenue Lounge had reported a man was waving a gun at tavern patrons. Upon the officer's arrival, Detective Rusnak was shot through the heart as he entered the side door.

   He was taken to Methodist Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

   The suspect was chased three blocks and caught by his partner, Patrolman George Lowe, who ironically was also shot and killed in the line of duty nearly four years later.

   The 30-year-old suspect, who was later convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, died by suicide in 1968 while incarcerated.

   Detective Rusnak was survived by his wife, three sons, two sisters, three brothers and mother.

Military Service


United States Coast Guard Reserve
World War II
Seaman First Class (S1) ▪ 1942–1945


Personal Details

Age: 45
Law Enforcement Service:
16 years
Burial Place:
Ridgelawn Cemetery, Gary