Michael Bruin, 61, of Indianapolis, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2022 after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He is survived by his wife Cheryl, his children Eric and Emily, his parents Ralph and Mary, his brothers Mark (Sharon) and Bret (Suzi), and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Captain Bruin retired May 2, 2022 after serving the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for almost 36 years. During his tenure, Mike served in numerous roles including Commander of East District and finished his career as a police Captain. Mike was instrumental in starting the department’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) and was appointed Executive Director of the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force. Captain Bruin dedicated his life to serving Indianapolis where he loved working alongside this City’s finest.
Mike lived life to the fullest every day. He considered himself lucky to have been born in the greatest country on Earth. He loved taking family trips to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he began his career as a police officer. He found great joy and fulfillment through his faith in God and by giving back to others. Mike coached the Zionsville softball team with his daughter, and he oversaw many community outreach programs on East District. His final giving act was being a corneal organ donor.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 700 W. 38th Street. The funeral service will be held on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. also at Crown Hill. Burial will take place at the Bruin Family Cemetery in Rockville, IN. The funeral procession will pass by East District Headquarters en route to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mike’s honor may be given to Tunnel to Towers at t2t.org/donate or the IU Health Simon Cancer Center through IU Health Foundation at iuhealthfoundation.org/donate. Mike’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Simon Cancer Center and his oncologist, Dr. Jalal.
