<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.1


                            INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT


         AGREEMENT between Belden Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and John M. Monter (the "Indemnitee").

         WHEREAS, it is essential to the Company to retain and attract as
directors, officers and representatives the most capable persons available; and

         WHEREAS, Indemnitee is a director, officer or representative of the
Company; and

         WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increased risk
of litigation and other claims being asserted against directors, officers and
representatives of public companies in today's environment; and

         WHEREAS, the Articles of Incorporation of the Company and the Delaware
General Corporation Law each provide that the indemnification provided therein
shall not be exclusive; and

         WHEREAS, in recognition of the Indemnitee's need for substantial
protection against personal liability in order to enhance Indemnitee's continued
service to the Company in an effective manner, the Company wishes to provide in
this Agreement for the indemnification of and the advancing of expenses to
Indemnitee to the full extent (whether partial or complete) permitted by law and
as set forth in this Agreement, and, to the extent insurance is maintained, for
the continued coverage of Indemnitee under the Company's directors' and
officers' liability insurance policies;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of Indemnitee
continuing to serve the Company directly or, at its request, with another
enterprise, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree
as follows:

1.       Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
         shall have the following meanings:

               (a) Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any
         "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
         Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than a trustee or
         other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of
         the Company or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the
         stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as
         their ownership of stock of the Company, is or becomes the "beneficial
         owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or
         indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of
         the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding
         Voting Securities without the prior approval of the Board of Directors,
         or (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at
         the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the
         Company and any new director whose election by the Board of Directors
         or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved
         by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in
         office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or
         whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved,
         cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, or (iii) the
         stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the
         Company with any other corporation, other than a



<PAGE>   2



         merger or consolidation which would result in the Voting Securities of
         the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to
         represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into
         Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 80% of the total
         voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Company or
         such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
         consolidation, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of
         complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or
         disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company's
         assets.

               (b) Claim shall mean any threatened, pending or completed action,
         suit or proceeding, or any inquiry or investigation, whether conducted
         by the Company or any other party, that Indemnitee in good faith
         believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit or
         proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or
         other.

               (c) Expenses shall mean include all costs, expenses (including
         attorneys' fees) and obligations paid or incurred in connection with
         investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in
         (including on appeal) or preparing to defend, be a witness in or
         participate in any Claim relating to any Indemnifiable Event (including
         all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in
         connection with or in respect of any of the foregoing).

               (d) Judgments shall mean judgments, fines, penalties and amounts
         paid in settlement that are paid or payable in connection with any
         Claim relating to any Indemnifiable Event (including all interest,
         assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in
         respect of any of the foregoing).

               (e) Indemnifiable Event shall mean any event or occurrence
         related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, director
         nominee, officer or representative of the Company, or is or was serving
         at the request of the Company as a director, trustee, officer,
         employee, agent or representative of another corporation, domestic or
         foreign, nonprofit or for profit, partnership, joint venture, employee
         benefit plan, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of anything done
         or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity.

               (f) Reviewing Party shall mean any appropriate person or body
         consisting of a member or members of the Company's Board of Directors
         or any other person or body appointed by the Board (including the
         special, independent counsel referred to in Section 3) who is not a
         party to the particular Claim for which Indemnitee is seeking
         indemnification.

               (g) Voting Securities shall mean any securities of the Company
         that vote generally in the election of directors.

2.       Scope of Indemnification.

               (a) Indemnification for Judgments and Expenses. In the event
         Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to or




                                       2


<PAGE>   3


         witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to
         or witness or other participant in, a Claim by reason of (or arising in
         part out of) an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall indemnify
         Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law against any and all
         Expenses and Judgments arising from or relating to such Claim. Except
         as otherwise provided in Section 2(b), such indemnification shall be
         made as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than thirty
         (30) days, after written demand therefor is presented to the Company by
         or on behalf of the Indemnitee.

               (b) Indemnification and Advance Payment of Expenses. Any and all
         Expenses and any and all expenses referred to in Section 2(c) shall be
         paid by the Company promptly as they are incurred by Indemnitee (any
         such payment of expenses by the Company is hereinafter referred to as
         an "Expense Advance"). Indemnitee shall be obligated, and hereby
         agrees, to repay the amount of Expenses so paid only to the extent that
         it is proved by clear and convincing evidence in a court of competent
         jurisdiction that his action or failure to act involved an act or
         omission undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to the
         Company or violate the law or undertaken with reckless disregard for
         the best interests of the Company. Indemnitee hereby further agrees to
         cooperate reasonably with the Company concerning any Claim.

               (c) Indemnification for Additional Expenses. The Company shall
         indemnify Indemnitee against any and all expenses (including attorneys'
         fees) that are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any claim
         asserted against or action brought by Indemnitee for (i)
         indemnification of Expenses or Judgments or advance payment of Expenses
         by the Company under this Agreement or under any other agreement, the
         Company's articles, statute or rule of law now or hereafter in effect
         relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events and (ii) recovery under any
         directors' and officers' liability insurance policy or policies
         maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately
         is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advance expense
         payment or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

               (d) Partial Indemnity. If Indemnitee is entitled under any
         provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some
         or a portion of the Judgments and Expenses arising from or relating to
         a Claim but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, the
         Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof
         to which Indemnitee is entitled.

               (e) Indemnification of Successful Defense Expenses.
         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent
         that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in
         defense of any or all Claims relating in whole or in part to an
         Indemnifiable Event or in defense of any issue or matter therein,
         including dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified
         against all Expenses incurred in connection therewith.


3.       Reviewing Party Determinations.

               (a) General Rules. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2,
         the obligations of the Company under Section 2(a) shall be subject to
         the condition that the Reviewing Party shall not




                                       3


<PAGE>   4


         have determined (in a written opinion, in any case in which the
         special, independent counsel referred to in Section 4 hereof is
         involved) that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified
         under applicable law; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has
         commenced legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to
         secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under
         applicable law, any determination made by the Reviewing Party that
         Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable
         law shall not be binding until a final judicial determination is made
         with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have
         been exhausted or lapsed) and any such determination by the Reviewing
         Party shall be modified, to the extent necessary, to conform to such
         final judicial determination.

               (b) Selection of Reviewing Party. If there has not been a Change
         in Control, the Reviewing Party shall be selected by the Board of
         Directors. If there has been such a Change in Control, the Reviewing
         Party shall be the special, independent counsel referred to in Section
         4 hereof.

               (c) Judicial Review. If there has been no determination by the
         Reviewing Party or if the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee
         substantially would not be permitted to be indemnified in whole or in
         part under applicable law, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence
         litigation in any court in the State of Delaware having subject matter
         jurisdiction thereof and in which venue is proper seeking an initial
         determination by the court or challenging any such determination by the
         Reviewing Party or any aspect thereof, and the Company hereby consents
         to service of process and to appear in any such proceeding. Any
         determination by the Reviewing Party otherwise shall be conclusive and
         binding on the Company and Indemnitee.

               (d) Burden of Proof. In connection with any determination by the
         Reviewing Party pursuant to Section 3(a), or by a court of competent
         jurisdiction pursuant to Section 3(c) or otherwise, as to whether
         Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder, the burden of proof
         shall be on the Company to establish by clear and convincing evidence
         that Indemnitee is not so entitled.

4.       Change in Control. The Company agrees that if there is a Change in
         Control of the Company then with respect to all matters thereafter
         arising concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnity payments under
         this Agreement or under any other agreement, the Company's Certificate
         of Incorporation, statute or rule of law now or hereafter in effect
         relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events, the Company shall seek
         legal advice only from special, independent counsel selected by
         Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be
         unreasonably withheld), and who has not otherwise performed services
         for the Company or Indemnitee within the last five years (other than in
         connection with such matters); provided, however, a majority of the
         Company's Board of Directors, which majority were directors immediately
         prior to such Change in Control, may waive this requirement. The
         Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the special, independent
         counsel referred to above and to indemnify fully such counsel against
         any and all expenses (including attorneys' fees), claims, liabilities
         and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its
         engagement pursuant hereto.

5.       No Presumption. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any
         claim, action, suit or





                                       4



<PAGE>   5


         proceeding, by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without
         court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or
         its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not
         meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief
         or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by
         applicable law.

6.       Nonexclusivity. The rights of the Indemnitee hereunder shall be in
         addition to any other rights Indemnitee may now or hereafter have to
         indemnification by the Company. More specifically, the Parties intend
         that Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification to the maximum
         extent permitted by any or all of the following:

               (a) The fullest benefits provided by the Company's Certificate of
         Incorporation and By-Laws or their equivalent of the Company in effect
         at the time the Indemnifiable Event occurs or at the time Expenses are
         incurred by Indemnitee;

               (b) The fullest benefits allowable under Delaware law in effect
         at the date hereof or as the same may be amended to the extent that
         such benefits are increased thereby;

               (c) The fullest benefits allowable under the law of the
         jurisdiction under which the Company exists at the time the
         Indemnifiable Event occurs or at the time Expenses are incurred by the
         Indemnitee; and

               (d) Such other benefits as are or may be otherwise available to
         Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement, any other agreement or
         otherwise.

         The parties intend that combination of two or more of the benefits
         referred to in (a) through (d) shall be available to Indemnitee to the
         extent that the document or law providing for such benefits does not
         require that the benefits provided therein be exclusive of other
         benefits. The Company hereby undertakes to use its best efforts to
         assist Indemnitee, in all proper and legal ways, to obtain all such
         benefits to which Indemnitee is entitled.

7.       Liability Insurance. The rights of the Indemnitee hereunder shall also
         be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may now or hereafter have
         under policies of insurance maintained by the Company or otherwise. To
         the extent the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies
         providing directors' and officers' liability insurance, Indemnitee
         shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or
         their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any
         Company director, officer or representative.

         The Company shall maintain such insurance coverage for so long as
         Indemnitee's services are covered hereunder, provided and to the extent
         that such insurance is available on a basis acceptable to the Company.
         In the event that such insurance becomes unavailable in the amount of
         the present policy limits or in the present scope of coverage at
         premium costs and on other terms acceptable to the Company, then the
         Company may forego maintenance of all or a portion of such insurance
         coverage. However, in the event of any reduction in (or cancellation
         of) such insurance




                                       5



<PAGE>   6


         coverage (whether voluntary or involuntary), the Company shall, and
         hereby agrees to, stand as a self-insurer with respect to the coverage,
         or portion thereof, not retained, and shall indemnify the Indemnitee
         against any loss arising out of the reduction in or cancellation of
         such insurance coverage.

8.       Escrow Fund. As collateral security for its obligations hereunder
         (including specifically its indemnity obligations [other than
         Judgments] and other obligations pursuant to Sections 2,6 and 7) and
         under similar agreements with other directors, officers and
         representatives, in the event of a Change in Control, the Company shall
         dedicate and maintain, for a period of five years following the Change
         of Control, an escrow account in the aggregate of ten million dollars
         ($10,000,000) by depositing assets or bank letters of credit in escrow
         or reserving lines of credit that may be drawn down by an escrow agent
         in said amount (the "Escrow Reserve"). The Company shall promptly
         following establishment of the Escrow Reserve provide Indemnitee with a
         true and complete copy of the agreement relating to the establishment
         and operation of the Escrow Reserve, together with such additional
         documentation or information with respect to the Escrow Reserve as
         Indemnitee may from time to time reasonably request. The Company shall
         promptly following establishment of the Escrow Reserve deliver an
         executed copy of this Agreement to the escrow agent for the Escrow
         Reserve to evidence to that agent that Indemnitee is a beneficiary of
         that Escrow Reserve and shall deliver to Indemnitee the escrow agent's
         signed receipt evidencing that delivery.

9.       Period of Limitations. No legal action shall be brought and no cause of
         action shall be asserted by or on behalf of the Company or any
         affiliate of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee's spouse,
         heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the
         expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of
         action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company or its
         affiliate shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by
         the timely filing of legal action within such two-year period;
         provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is
         otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period
         shall govern.

10.      Amendments. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement
         shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties
         hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be
         deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions thereof
         (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing
         waiver.

11.      Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company
         shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights
         of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and
         shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights,
         including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the
         Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

12.      No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this
         Agreement to make any payment in connection with any claim made against
         Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received
         payment (under any insurance policy, article or otherwise) of the




                                       6



<PAGE>   7


         amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.

13.      Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
         benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their
         respective successors, assigns, including any direct or indirect
         successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or
         substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company,
         spouses, heirs, and personal and legal representatives. This Agreement
         shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to
         serve as a director, officer or representative of the Company of or any
         other enterprise at the Company's request.

14.      Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in
         the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any provision
         within a single section, paragraph or sentence) are held by a court of
         competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable,
         and the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest
         extent permitted by law.

15.      Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
         enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
         applicable to contracts made and to be performed in such state without
         giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws.




                                       7




<PAGE>   8



Executed and effective as of this 4th day of May, 2000.


                                   BELDEN INC.





                                   By /s/ C. Baker Cunningham
                                      ------------------------------------
                                   Title:  Chairman, President and
                                           Chief Executive Officer
                                   Date:

                                   INDEMNITEE:




                                   By:    /s/  John M. Monter
                                      ------------------------------------
                                   Name:  John M. Monter
                                   Date:  May 4, 2000




                                       8




<PAGE>   9
                            INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT


         AGREEMENT between Belden Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and M. Whitson Sadler (the "Indemnitee").

         WHEREAS, it is essential to the Company to retain and attract as
directors, officers and representatives the most capable persons available; and

         WHEREAS, Indemnitee is a director, officer or representative of the
Company; and

         WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increased risk
of litigation and other claims being asserted against directors, officers and
representatives of public companies in today's environment; and

         WHEREAS, the Articles of Incorporation of the Company and the Delaware
General Corporation Law each provide that the indemnification provided therein
shall not be exclusive; and

         WHEREAS, in recognition of the Indemnitee's need for substantial
protection against personal liability in order to enhance Indemnitee's continued
service to the Company in an effective manner, the Company wishes to provide in
this Agreement for the indemnification of and the advancing of expenses to
Indemnitee to the full extent (whether partial or complete) permitted by law and
as set forth in this Agreement, and, to the extent insurance is maintained, for
the continued coverage of Indemnitee under the Company's directors' and
officers' liability insurance policies;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of Indemnitee
continuing to serve the Company directly or, at its request, with another
enterprise, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree
as follows:

1.       Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
         shall have the following meanings:

              (a) Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any
         "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
         Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than a trustee or
         other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of
         the Company or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the
         stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as
         their ownership of stock of the Company, is or becomes the "beneficial
         owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or
         indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of
         the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding
         Voting Securities without the prior approval of the Board of Directors,
         or (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at
         the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the
         Company and any new director whose election by the Board of Directors
         or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved
         by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in
         office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or
         whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved,
         cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, or (iii) the
         stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the
         Company with any other corporation, other than a

<PAGE>   10


         merger or consolidation which would result in the Voting Securities of
         the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to
         represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into
         Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 80% of the total
         voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Company or
         such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
         consolidation, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of
         complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or
         disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company's
         assets.

               (b) Claim shall mean any threatened, pending or completed action,
         suit or proceeding, or any inquiry or investigation, whether conducted
         by the Company or any other party, that Indemnitee in good faith
         believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit or
         proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or
         other.

               (c) Expenses shall mean include all costs, expenses (including
         attorneys' fees) and obligations paid or incurred in connection with
         investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in
         (including on appeal) or preparing to defend, be a witness in or
         participate in any Claim relating to any Indemnifiable Event (including
         all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in
         connection with or in respect of any of the foregoing).

               (d) Judgments shall mean judgments, fines, penalties and amounts
         paid in settlement that are paid or payable in connection with any
         Claim relating to any Indemnifiable Event (including all interest,
         assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in
         respect of any of the foregoing).

               (e) Indemnifiable Event shall mean any event or occurrence
         related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, director
         nominee, officer or representative of the Company, or is or was serving
         at the request of the Company as a director, trustee, officer,
         employee, agent or representative of another corporation, domestic or
         foreign, nonprofit or for profit, partnership, joint venture, employee
         benefit plan, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of anything done
         or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity.

               (f) Reviewing Party shall mean any appropriate person or body
         consisting of a member or members of the Company's Board of Directors
         or any other person or body appointed by the Board (including the
         special, independent counsel referred to in Section 3) who is not a
         party to the particular Claim for which Indemnitee is seeking
         indemnification.

               (g) Voting Securities shall mean any securities of the Company
         that vote generally in the election of directors.

2.       Scope of Indemnification.

               (a) Indemnification for Judgments and Expenses. In the event
         Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to or witness or other
         participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or

                                       2
<PAGE>   11

         witness or other participant in, a Claim by reason of (or arising in
         part out of) an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall indemnify
         Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law against any and all
         Expenses and Judgments arising from or relating to such Claim. Except
         as otherwise provided in Section 2(b), such indemnification shall be
         made as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than thirty
         (30) days, after written demand therefor is presented to the Company by
         or on behalf of the Indemnitee.

               (b) Indemnification and Advance Payment of Expenses. Any and all
         Expenses and any and all expenses referred to in Section 2(c) shall be
         paid by the Company promptly as they are incurred by Indemnitee (any
         such payment of expenses by the Company is hereinafter referred to as
         an "Expense Advance"). Indemnitee shall be obligated, and hereby
         agrees, to repay the amount of Expenses so paid only to the extent that
         it is proved by clear and convincing evidence in a court of competent
         jurisdiction that his action or failure to act involved an act or
         omission undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to the
         Company or violate the law or undertaken with reckless disregard for
         the best interests of the Company. Indemnitee hereby further agrees to
         cooperate reasonably with the Company concerning any Claim.

               (c) Indemnification for Additional Expenses. The Company shall
         indemnify Indemnitee against any and all expenses (including attorneys'
         fees) that are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any claim
         asserted against or action brought by Indemnitee for (i)
         indemnification of Expenses or Judgments or advance payment of Expenses
         by the Company under this Agreement or under any other agreement, the
         Company's articles, statute or rule of law now or hereafter in effect
         relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events and (ii) recovery under any
         directors' and officers' liability insurance policy or policies
         maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately
         is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advance expense
         payment or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

               (d) Partial Indemnity. If Indemnitee is entitled under any
         provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some
         or a portion of the Judgments and Expenses arising from or relating to
         a Claim but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, the
         Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof
         to which Indemnitee is entitled.

               (e) Indemnification of Successful Defense Expenses.
         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent
         that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in
         defense of any or all Claims relating in whole or in part to an
         Indemnifiable Event or in defense of any issue or matter therein,
         including dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified
         against all Expenses incurred in connection therewith.


3.       Reviewing Party Determinations.

               (a) General Rules. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2,
         the obligations of the Company under Section 2(a) shall be subject to
         the condition that the Reviewing Party shall not

                                       3
<PAGE>   12

         have determined (in a written opinion, in any case in which the
         special, independent counsel referred to in Section 4 hereof is
         involved) that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified
         under applicable law; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has
         commenced legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to
         secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under
         applicable law, any determination made by the Reviewing Party that
         Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable
         law shall not be binding until a final judicial determination is made
         with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have
         been exhausted or lapsed) and any such determination by the Reviewing
         Party shall be modified, to the extent necessary, to conform to such
         final judicial determination.

               (b) Selection of Reviewing Party. If there has not been a Change
         in Control, the Reviewing Party shall be selected by the Board of
         Directors. If there has been such a Change in Control, the Reviewing
         Party shall be the special, independent counsel referred to in Section
         4 hereof.

               (c) Judicial Review. If there has been no determination by the
         Reviewing Party or if the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee
         substantially would not be permitted to be indemnified in whole or in
         part under applicable law, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence
         litigation in any court in the State of Delaware having subject matter
         jurisdiction thereof and in which venue is proper seeking an initial
         determination by the court or challenging any such determination by the
         Reviewing Party or any aspect thereof, and the Company hereby consents
         to service of process and to appear in any such proceeding. Any
         determination by the Reviewing Party otherwise shall be conclusive and
         binding on the Company and Indemnitee.

               (d) Burden of Proof. In connection with any determination by the
         Reviewing Party pursuant to Section 3(a), or by a court of competent
         jurisdiction pursuant to Section 3(c) or otherwise, as to whether
         Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder, the burden of proof
         shall be on the Company to establish by clear and convincing evidence
         that Indemnitee is not so entitled.


4.       Change in Control. The Company agrees that if there is a Change in
         Control of the Company then with respect to all matters thereafter
         arising concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnity payments
         under this Agreement or under any other agreement, the Company's
         Certificate of Incorporation, statute or rule of law now or hereafter
         in effect relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events, the Company
         shall seek legal advice only from special, independent counsel
         selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval
         shall not be unreasonably withheld), and who has not otherwise
         performed services for the Company or Indemnitee within the last five
         years (other than in connection with such matters); provided, however,
         a majority of the Company's Board of Directors, which majority were
         directors immediately prior to such Change in Control, may waive this
         requirement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the
         special, independent counsel referred to above and to indemnify fully
         such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys' fees),
         claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this
         Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

5.       No Presumption. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any
         claim, action, suit or
                                       4

<PAGE>   13

         proceeding, by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without
         court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or
         its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not
         meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief
         or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by
         applicable law.

6.       Nonexclusivity. The rights of the Indemnitee hereunder shall be in
         addition to any other rights Indemnitee may now or hereafter have to
         indemnification by the Company. More specifically, the Parties intend
         that Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification to the maximum
         extent permitted by any or all of the following:

               (a) The fullest benefits provided by the Company's Certificate of
         Incorporation and By-Laws or their equivalent of the Company in effect
         at the time the Indemnifiable Event occurs or at the time Expenses are
         incurred by Indemnitee;

               (b) The fullest benefits allowable under Delaware law in effect
         at the date hereof or as the same may be amended to the extent that
         such benefits are increased thereby;

               (c) The fullest benefits allowable under the law of the
         jurisdiction under which the Company exists at the time the
         Indemnifiable Event occurs or at the time Expenses are incurred by the
         Indemnitee; and

               (d) Such other benefits as are or may be otherwise available to
         Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement, any other agreement or
         otherwise.

         The parties intend that combination of two or more of the benefits
         referred to in (a) through (d) shall be available to Indemnitee to the
         extent that the document or law providing for such benefits does not
         require that the benefits provided therein be exclusive of other
         benefits. The Company hereby undertakes to use its best efforts to
         assist Indemnitee, in all proper and legal ways, to obtain all such
         benefits to which Indemnitee is entitled.

7.       Liability Insurance. The rights of the Indemnitee hereunder shall also
         be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may now or hereafter have
         under policies of insurance maintained by the Company or otherwise. To
         the extent the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies
         providing directors' and officers' liability insurance, Indemnitee
         shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or
         their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any
         Company director, officer or representative.

         The Company shall maintain such insurance coverage for so long as
         Indemnitee's services are covered hereunder, provided and to the extent
         that such insurance is available on a basis acceptable to the Company.
         In the event that such insurance becomes unavailable in the amount of
         the present policy limits or in the present scope of coverage at
         premium costs and on other terms acceptable to the Company, then the
         Company may forego maintenance of all or a portion of such insurance


                                       5
<PAGE>   14

         coverage. However, in the event of any reduction in (or cancellation
         of) such insurance coverage (whether voluntary or involuntary), the
         Company shall, and hereby agrees to, stand as a self-insurer with
         respect to the coverage, or portion thereof, not retained, and shall
         indemnify the Indemnitee against any loss arising out of the reduction
         in or cancellation of such insurance coverage.

8.       Escrow Fund. As collateral security for its obligations hereunder
         (including specifically its indemnity obligations [other than
         Judgments] and other obligations pursuant to Sections 2,6 and 7) and
         under similar agreements with other directors, officers and
         representatives, in the event of a Change in Control, the Company
         shall dedicate and maintain, for a period of five years following the
         Change of Control, an escrow account in the aggregate of ten million
         dollars ($10,000,000) by depositing assets or bank letters of credit
         in escrow or reserving lines of credit that may be drawn down by an
         escrow agent in said amount (the "Escrow Reserve"). The Company shall
         promptly following establishment of the Escrow Reserve provide
         Indemnitee with a true and complete copy of the agreement relating to
         the establishment and operation of the Escrow Reserve, together with
         such additional documentation or information with respect to the
         Escrow Reserve as Indemnitee may from time to time reasonably request.
         The Company shall promptly following establishment of the Escrow
         Reserve deliver an executed copy of this Agreement to the escrow agent
         for the Escrow Reserve to evidence to that agent that Indemnitee is a
         beneficiary of that Escrow Reserve and shall deliver to Indemnitee the
         escrow agent's signed receipt evidencing that delivery.


9.       Period of Limitations. No legal action shall be brought and no cause of
         action shall be asserted by or on behalf of the Company or any
         affiliate of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee's spouse,
         heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the
         expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of
         action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company or its
         affiliate shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by
         the timely filing of legal action within such two-year period;
         provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is
         otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period
         shall govern.

10.      Amendments. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement
         shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties
         hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be
         deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions thereof
         (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing
         waiver.

11.      Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company
         shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights
         of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and
         shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights,
         including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the
         Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

12.      No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this
         Agreement to make any payment in connection with any claim made against
         Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received
         payment (under any insurance policy, article or otherwise) of the


                                       6
<PAGE>   15

         amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.

13.      Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
         benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their
         respective successors, assigns, including any direct or indirect
         successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or
         substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company,
         spouses, heirs, and personal and legal representatives. This Agreement
         shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to
         serve as a director, officer or representative of the Company of or any
         other enterprise at the Company's request.

14.      Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in
         the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any provision
         within a single section, paragraph or sentence) are held by a court of
         competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable,
         and the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest
         extent permitted by law.

15.      Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
         enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
         applicable to contracts made and to be performed in such state without
         giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws.

                                       7
<PAGE>   16



Executed and effective as of this 4th day of May, 2000.


                                   BELDEN INC.





                                   By /s/ C. Baker Cunningham
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                   Title:  Chairman, President and
                                           Chief Executive Officer
                                   Date:

                                   INDEMNITEE:




                                   By:   /s/ M. Whitson Sadler
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                   Name:  M. Whitson Sadler
                                   Date:  May 4, 2000




                                       8