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CPD officer OK following Saturday shooting
Officer Luke Brown gave medical aid to alleged assailant
Even in taking a shotgun blast to his ballistic vest late Saturday afternoon, a Cloverdale Police officer was able to return fire, wounding the suspect, and then administer medical treatment on his assailant until paramedics arrived.
The officer, 27-year-old Luke Brown, was taken to a Terre Haute hospital, treated and released later Saturday night. The suspect, 48-year-old Jeffrey R. Hunter, remained in an Indianapolis hospital as of Sunday evening.
The incident began with the report of a theft from Tractor Supply Co. on the city’s east side.
According to reports from the Indiana State Police, there was allegedly a discrepancy between Hunter and the merchant over a chainsaw. When the issue was not resolved to the satisfaction of the suspect, he is alleged to have just taken another saw.
After fielding a call from TSC staff, Putnam County Dispatch put out a description of the suspect and vehicle.
Acting on a hunch based on a previous theft from TSC, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Donnie Pettit began searching roads south and east of the city, spotting the described vehicles.
Officers followed the suspect to 4449 E. CR 375 in the Mt. Meridian area.
Arriving at 4:07 p.m., officers from PCSD, CPD and Greencastle Police Department were confronted near the front door by a male who suddenly discharged a shotgun round toward the officers, striking Brown in the chest.
Brown returned fire, striking Hunter in the torso.
Having taken a shotgun blast to the chest, Brown was almost certainly saved by his ballistic vest, authorities from various agencies agreed.
“Brown was wearing a ballistic vest at the time that undoubtedly saved his life,” the Indiana State Police said in a statement.
Putnam County Sheriff Scott Stockton and Greencastle Police Chief Tom Sutherlin both expressed similar sentiments, as did the Cloverdale Police Department in a Sunday Facebook post.
“Without a doubt, his ballistic vest saved his life and further injuries,” a Facebook statement from CPD read. “He has bruising and discomfort associated from the impact.”
Even after bearing the impact of the blast through his vest, Brown was able to give medical attention to Hunter until Operation Life paramedics arrived.
Although other officers who had not been shot were on scene, Brown was the only EMT among them. As such, he rendered aid to his assailant.
“Right afterward, Officer Brown realized Hunter needed assistance and rendered aid,” acting Cloverdale Police Chief Charlie Hallam said.
Retrieving a first aid bag from his vehicle, Brown gave Hunter the attention he needed and even called vital signs in to Dispatch for both Hunter and himself.
“I’m confident he did everything well until the paramedics arrived,” Hallam said.
Although the severity of Hunter’s injuries was not disclosed, no reports from police indicate that they are life-threatening. A guard was placed on his room so that he could not escape the hospital while charges were pending.
It would appear that Hunter owes his health, at least in part, to the man he allegedly tried to shoot.
The two-year veteran of CPD was released later Saturday night, according to the CPD Facebook post.
“For those that know Luke, he got his signature ‘smirk’ when released and taken home,” the post said in part.
Hallam said Brown spent Sunday relaxing with family and friends.
Although he has been medically cleared to return to work, he will be on paid administrative leave until the completion of the investigation, in accordance with department protocol.
“He’s just relaxing and getting some time off,” Hallam said. “We’re overwhelmed with the response from everyone, especially on social media.”
Hallam emphasized that the situation is different from some other police action shooting in that Brown was on both ends of a shooting in this case.
“Luke is a victim in this as well. He was also punched by him,” Hallam said. “We’re treating him as both.”
Until then, Hallam said his department will do all it can to serve the public with one man out of commission.
“It’s going to be a long, drawn-out process until this is resolved,” Hallam said. “We’ll do everything we need to do for the department and for Officer Brown.”
With three local agencies involved in the incident, the Criminal Investigation Division at the Putnamville State Police Post was called in to investigate the shooting.
The lead ISP detectives are Don Curtis and 1Sgt. Jason Fajt.
Greencastle Police Department Det. Michael Collins is investigating the theft allegation.
Additional officers and agencies assisting at the scene included other ISP detectives and troopers, Sheriff Stockton and deputies, Chief Sutherlin and GPD officers, Chief Hallam, Fillmore Fire/Rescue and Putnam County CERT.
ISP detectives and crime scene investigators remained on the scene late Saturday evening gathering evidence, along with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Stockton said assistance had also been offered from Morgan County, Indiana Conservation Officers, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the FBI and a personal call from Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter.
Local eateries also supplied food and coffee to the officers as the investigation stretched late into the night.
Once ISP detectives have completed their investigation, they will submit the information to Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter for potential charges.
Although not yet familiar with all the details of the case on Sunday afternoon, Bookwalter said charges are likely if what he had learned is accurate.
“I would anticipate charges based upon what I’ve heard,” Bookwalter said. “There will be charges coming.”
The prosecutor added that he is anxious to see what is revealed by police body cameras. According to protocol of both departments, any Cloverdale or Greencastle officers on scene should have been wearing the devices.
For now, local officers are simply counting their blessings that the outcome was not much grimmer.
“(Officer Brown) and the Cloverdale Police Department are very thankful for all of the prayers and support we’ve been touched with during this incident,” CPD said in its Facebook statement.
