‘I will carry him with me every day’: Joshua Shrum remembers best friend, Officer Brian Elliott

BEECH GROVE, Ind. (WISH) — Joshua Shrum was the last person to deliver a eulogy Monday for Brian Elliott, the Beech Grove police officer who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 16.

Elliott, 33, died after being fatally shot during a disturbance call at a Beech Grove apartment complex.

The suspect, 47-year-old Kenneth Johnson, was taken into custody after an hours-long search of the area.

His funeral, held at his alma mater, Beech Grove High School, was attended by hundreds of community members, law enforcement, family, and friends. Beech Grove schools were closed Monday in observance of Elliott’s funeral.

Three people eulogized Elliott during Monday’s ceremony: Beech Grove Mayor James Coffman, Beech Grove Police Chief Michael Maurice, and Elliott’s best friend, Shrum.

Shrum, who also welcomed observers to the ceremony, was the last to speak.

Shrum says Elliott was more than a brother or a friend, but someone who made everyone feel seen.

“He made people feel safe, and feel heard, included,” he said. “Not because of the badge he wore, but because the man he was.”