HOWARD COUNTY DEPUTY KILLED IN LINE OF DUTY

Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence today directed that flags at state facilities statewide be flown at half-staff following the announcement that Howard County Sheriff’s Deputy Carl Koontz was killed in the line of duty. Flags should be flown at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset on the day of Deputy Koontz’ funeral. Governor Pence asks businesses to lower their flags to half-staff to honor the service and sacrifice of Deputy Koontz. Governor Pence also issued the following statement regarding the service of Deputy Koontz and that of fellow officer Sergeant Jordan Buckley, who was injured in the line of duty.

“Karen and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Howard County Sheriff's Deputy Carl Koontz and we extend our deepest condolences and prayers to his family, friends and the law enforcement community of Howard County who grieve the passing of this courageous young officer. Indiana will always honor the memory of Deputy Koontz and will always be grateful for his courageous service. Deputy Koontz lost his life in the line of duty and his passing reminds us all of the courage and risk that every member of our law enforcement community and their families face every day in the defending our communities.

“We also offer our gratitude and prayers to Sergeant Jordan Buckley who was injured during the same incident in the line of duty. We are grateful for his courage and pray that he will make a quick recovery from his injuries and be restored soon to his family and his service to the people of Howard County.”

The Indiana State Police are leading the investigation on the scene and are providing support to the local law enforcement community in Howard County.

FROM INDIANA STATE POLICE:

Howard County Sheriff Steve Rogers announced around noon today that 27 year old Deputy Carl A. Koontz, an almost three year veteran of the Howard County Sheriff Department has died as a result of the gunshot injuries he sustained during a warrant service early this morning.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., Koontz, along with Howard County Sheriff Sergeant Jordan J. Buckley and officers from the Kokomo Police Department were attempting to serve a search warrant at 380 Chandler Street in Russiaville, southwest of Kokomo.

According to Rogers, officers were looking for an individual with an outstanding arrest warrant. When the officers knocked on the door of the residence and announced their presence, there was no answer. Upon entering the residence, the officers were confronted by gunfire and they in turn returned gunfire.

Koontz and 35 year old Buckley were wounded during the exchange. A Russiaville officer and other deputies were able to extract the wounded officers from the residence and provide first aid. Both Koontz and Buckley were transported initially to Howard Regional Hospital, stabilized and then airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Deputies had secured the area around the residence, removing residents adjacent to the scene for their safety. Howard County SWAT, Kokomo Police SWAT and Indiana State Police SWAT responded and attempts to contact the occupant of the residence began about 2:30 a.m. with no response. These attempts continued for about two hours. SWAT personnel were able to confirm an individual was deceased inside of the residence. That person’s identity has not yet been confirmed.

Indiana State Police is the lead investigative agency and while the investigation is still in its early stages, crime scene investigators and detectives are working diligently to determine the dynamics of the incident.