Hunter gets 26 years in prison for 2016 shooting of Cloverdale police officer

A 50-year-old Putnam County man, who shot a former Cloverdale Police officer in December 2016, has been sentenced to 26 years in prison.

Jeffrey P. Hunter, who in March authorized a plea agreement in which he pleaded guilty to a Level 1 felony count of attempted murder, was sentenced in Putnam Circuit Court by Judge Matthew Headley.

Jeffrey P. Hunter

Before sentencing took place at the recent hearing, the defendant requested that his guilty plea be withdrawn.

However, Judge Headley denied that motion and sentenced Hunter to 26 years at the Indiana Department of Correction with 20 years executed and the remaining six years suspended to be served on probation.

"He tried to back out of the plea agreement," Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter said, adding that Hunter claimed he acted in self-defense, firing at Officer Luke Brown after Brown fired first.

"That's not true," Bookwalter said, noting that he had a number of witnesses lined up, including other police officers who would have testified to the contrary.

The prosecutor said he thought Hunter's attempt at a sudden change of heart on the plea agreement was tantamount to "buyer's remorse."

In the plea agreement, while Hunter pleaded guilty to attempted murder, his remaining counts -- resisting law enforcement, battery, battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery and theft -- were all dismissed and the scheduled jury trial vacated.

"He wanted (to bargain down to) aggravated battery," Bookwalter said, "but I said, 'No.' I always have a rule when it comes to (crimes against) police officers, I won't back off the top charge."

Hunter could still appeal the sentencing on the attempted murder conviction, which actually carries a sentencing range of 20-40 years with an advisory sentence of 30 years.

If Hunter does appeal down the line, it will be without his prior legal counsel, Robert Alden, who asked to withdraw from the case after sentencing. Alden's withdrawal was granted by Judge Headley.

In the Dec. 10, 2016 incident, the probable cause affidavit states that Hunter shot at Officer Brown's chest with a shotgun from about a foot away.

The ballistic vest worn by Brown, who is now a Greencastle officer, saved him from serious injury.

Brown was able to return fire, wounding Hunter in the torso, and then rendered first aid to Hunter until paramedics arrived.

The circumstances surrounding Hunter's arrest began to unfold earlier that afternoon at Tractor Supply Co. in Greencastle.

After his credit card was denied, Hunter reportedly stole a chainsaw valued at $369.99 from the retailer, walking out the door with it.

Hunter is alleged to have battered a clerk on his way out of the store and then fled the scene in his pickup with Lt. Donnie Pettit of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department in pursuit.

Later, with four officers on the scene at Hunter's house on County Road 375 South near Mount Meridian, he struggled physically with Officer Brown before grabbing the shotgun and firing.