March 2, 2018

Sheriff: Deputy Shot In Pursuit Won't Survive


Deputy Jacob Pickett, shown here with his K9 partner Brick, was lead K9 handler for the Boone County Sheriff's Office and patrolled with Brick for more than two years. (Photo credit BCSO)
 

Updated March 2 at 6 p.m.

LEBANON, Ind. (AP) — A central Indiana sheriff's deputy who was shot in the head while chasing three suspects won't survive and was on life support for donation of his organs, authorities said Friday.

Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen said Deputy Jacob Pickett, a 30-year-old father of two young boys, was on life support at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis and his "life is being sustained so that he can continue to serve and help others."

"We have lost a canine officer, a deputy, a friend, a warrior and a brother," Nielsen said during an emotional news conference at the hospital. "We are family. We are grieving."

Police said Pickett, who is married and joined the department about three years ago, was shot in the head at about 9:30 a.m. Friday as he rounded a corner with his police dog as they helped chase three men on foot in the city of Lebanon, which is about 20 miles northwest of Indianapolis.

The three men were later captured following the pursuit, which led to a lockdown of local schools, government offices and a library in Lebanon while officers in body armor scoured the area for the suspects.

State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said investigators believe 21-year-old Anthony Baumgardt shot Pickett. He said Baumgardt was shot by officers and was at the same hospital as Pickett with non-life-threatening injuries. He will be jailed as soon as he's discharged.

Carter said Friday's chase began after police officers serving an arrest warrant for a woman noticed 28-year-old John D. Baldwin Jr., who also had an outstanding arrest warrant for allegedly violating his probation on a conviction for unlawful possession of a syringe.

Officers ordered Baldwin to stop, but he got into a car with his 55-year-old father, John Baldwin Sr., and Baumgardt and they fled the scene, Carter said.

Officers pursued that car as it fled through the city's streets, and Pickett and other officers joined the chase. Pickett was shot after the car stopped and the occupants fled on foot.

John D. Baldwin Jr. got back into the car and drove away before being arrested along nearby Interstate 65, police said. His father later surrendered to police.

Nielsen said Pickett is the first officer with the Boone County Sheriff's Office killed in the line of duty since 1935, when Sheriff John Pepper was killed while on duty.

Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a statement that he and his wife, Janet, "are stunned and heartbroken" by Pickett's shooting and feel sorrow for the deputy's wife and children.


Original post

LEBANON, Ind. (AP) — The Latest on the shooting of a central Indiana sheriff's deputy (all times local):

4:10 p.m.

A central Indiana sheriff says a deputy who was shot while pursuing a suspect won't survive his wounds.

Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen said Friday afternoon 30-year-old Deputy Jacob Pickett was on life support at an Indianapolis hospital so his organs can be donated.

He says Pickett is married and has two young boys. Nielsen says Pickett joined the department about three years ago and became a canine officer.

He says called Pickett "an absolutely amazing person" and "warrior" who will be sorely missed by colleagues.

Nielsen says police believe 21-year-old Anthony Baumgardt shot Pickett during a Friday morning foot chase in the city of Lebanon northwest of Indianapolis after Baumgardt and two other men allegedly fled officers serving an arrest warrant for a fourth person.

___

3:10 p.m.

State Police have released the names of three men arrested following a shooting that left a central Indiana sheriff's deputy in critical condition.

Police say 28-year-old John D. Baldwin Jr., his 55-year-old father, John Baldwin Sr., and 21-year-old Anthony Baumgardt were arrested following Friday morning's shooting of a Boone County Sheriff's deputy.

The male deputy, whose name has not been released, is in critical condition at an Indianapolis hospital.

Police said Bumgardt was wounded by officers and is hospitalized.

The deputy was shot during a foot chase in the city of Lebanon northwest of Indianapolis after the three men allegedly fled officers serving an arrest warrant for a fourth person.

___

11:54 a.m.

Indiana State Police say a sheriff's deputy is in critical condition after being shot during a foot chase in the city of Lebanon northwest of Indianapolis.

State Police Sgt. John Perrine says a Boone County Sheriff's deputy was shot about 9:30 a.m. Friday and the male officer was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital. The wounded deputy's name has not been released.

Perrine says the deputy was shot during a foot chase that unfolded when suspects fled Lebanon police as they were serving a search warrant in the city about 20 miles northwest of Indianapolis.

He says three suspects have been taken into custody and one of them was shot by police. He says that suspect's condition isn't known.

Lebanon Community Schools were placed on lockdown following the shooting.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

Indianapolis City-County Councilor La Keisha Jackson is Indiana's newest state senator
Legislative leaders say 2024 session more substantive than planned, but much more to come in 2025
Economic Enhancement District for Mile Square will not be repealed