Detectives with the Indiana State Police are investigating after a suspect shot a New Albany police officer while the officer was investigating a prior shooting in the city.

ISP detectives believe a female victim reported a shooting incident earlier Tuesday morning in the 400 block of Green Street in New Albany. 

No person was struck or injured in that incident; however, officers with the New Albany Police Department began looking for 29-year-old Barry Sowders of New Albany concerning that incident.  

At approximately 11:30 Tuesday morning, a vehicle matching the suspects was located near the 1400 block of Grant Street in New Albany. 

Sowders exited the car when officers approached, and officers observed a handgun in Sowder’s possession. 

When officers attempted to detain Sowders, he fled on foot, and the officers gave chase. 

As officers pursued, Sowders fired a handgun at two officers, striking Corporal Andrew Byrne. 

Corporal Byrne then returned fire, striking Sowders.  

Detectives believe Barry Sowders continued to flee on foot and fired again at a third pursuing officer. 

Sowders was then able to evade officers but officers from multiple departments responded and began setting a perimeter around the location. 

Additionally, officers at the scene of the shooting provided medical aid to Corporal Byrne.  An ambulance then transported Officer Byrne to University Hospital in Louisville.  

An ISP and LMPD helicopter responded to the scene as officers continued to search for Sowders.  At approximately 12:30 pm, a group of officers from multiple agencies located Sowders lying on the front porch of a Market Street residence a short distance from the shooting. 

Officers and emergency medical personnel treated Sowders for gunshot wounds, who was then taken into custody and transported to University Hospital by ambulance.  

New Albany Police Chief Todd Baily requested ISP investigate the police-involved shooting.  This investigation is ongoing; however, as of the writing of this news release, Barry Sowders has been released from the hospital and is currently incarcerated at Jefferson County Metro Corrections in Louisville, pending his extradition to Indiana. 

Sowders is being held on a warrant for three counts of attempted murder and resisting law enforcement.  

Corporal Andrew Byrnes is currently listed in Fair condition at the University of Louisville Hospital.  

This is an ongoing investigation, and more information will be released as it becomes available.  

Detectives and crime-scene technicians from the Indiana State Police- Sellersburg Post were requested to investigate the death of an inmate housed at the Harrison County Jail in Corydon.

The preliminary investigation reveals that at approximately 6:00 a.m. Thursday, corrections officers with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office located a male inmate, Joshua Dale Kepley, 42, of Harrison County, unresponsive upon entering his cell to deliver breakfast.

Corrections officers immediately began providing medical assistance and requested EMS respond to assist.

Emergency personnel were unable to revive Kepley.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Harrison County Hospital EMS personnel and the Harrison County Coroner’s Office responded to the jail.

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office requested the Indiana State Police investigate the death.

The investigation also found that Kepley was incarcerated on a Felony – Neglect of Dependent charge and other warrants after being arrested on Wednesday.  That arrest occurred when officers responded to an overdose call involving Kepley.  Following his arrest, Joshua Kepley was transported to the Harrison County Hospital and medically cleared before being jailed Wednesday night.  Kepley was housed in a communal cell with other inmates during his incarceration.

An autopsy was conducted Thursday morning through the Harrison County Coroner’s Office. The results of the autopsy, as well as toxicology results, are pending; however, no foul play is suspected at this time.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Harrison County Coroner’s Office assisted the Indiana State Police in this investigation. 

Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to begin chip seal operations on S.R. 60 in Washington County, starting on or after Thursday, May 18.

Crews will be active from the intersection of S.R. 56 and S.R. 60 in Salem to west of Saltillo Road. 

Chip seal work typically lasts three to four days per location depending upon weather.

During operations, existing pavement is coated with liquid asphalt, which seals cracks and provides waterproof protection.

This extends the service life of the roadway and lowers maintenance costs.

Once the seal coat is complete, loose aggregate is applied and swept from the road. After a curing period, crews will return to fog seal the new driving surface and apply pavement markings.

Chip seal is a cost-effective pavement preservation technique that is utilized across the state of Indiana, saving an estimated six to 14 dollars in taxpayer expenditures for every dollar invested in extending the life of a roadway.

INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and consider worker safety when traveling through active work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change. 

Mayor Justin Green, who became the first Republican Mayor in Salem in 34 years back in 2019, defeated Republican challenger Jay Davisson in Tuesday’s primary election, 551-267.

Green captured 67.7 percent of the total votes in a Primary that only turned out about 17 percent of the registered voters.

Davisson captured less than half that, with 32.64 percent.

The other race was between incumbent Republican Council member Gail Napier was challenged by newcomer Randy Lee Jr. 

Out of 229 total votes in District 4, Lee took 134 to Napier’s 95. 

Lee and Green will both move on to the general election in November. 

Green already has a challenger in Tommy Brown III, who will run as a Libertarian. 

No Democratic challenger has filed to run. The deadline to file is July 3. 

In other un-contested races:

• Sally Hattabaugh for City of Salem Clerk Treasurer – 699 votes.
• Roger K. Pennington for City of Salem Council at Large – 679 votes.
• Dan R. Libka City of Salem Council District 1 – 128 votes
• Dylan Moore City of Salem Council District 2 = 129 votes
• Steve Crane City of Salem Council District 3 – 201 votes

Moore will face Democrat Paul Holsapple in the fall along with Tina Ransom, Libertarian. 

The fall election will be held on Tuesday, November 7.