Richmond Police Chief Mike Britt has asked the Indiana State Police Pendleton District to investigate a police action shooting that occurred this morning involving officers from the Richmond Police Department.

The incident occurred shortly before 11 a.m. this morning when Wayne County Dispatch put out a call for a reckless driving vehicle on the west side of Richmond.

The early investigation shows that an officer was sitting in his car, on the phone, in the Richmond City Building parking lot, (located at 50 N. 5^th St.,) when the reckless driving vehicle pulled into the lot and close to the officer’s vehicle. 

A man inside the car began yelling at the officer “Kill me, shoot me.’  The officer immediately radioed for assistance and began slowly driving away from the suspect’s vehicle across the lot. 

A two-man car was nearby and arrived on the scene to assist. 

The two-man car stopped approximately 60 feet from the suspect’s vehicle and the two officers got out of their car. 

The suspect got out of his vehicle shouting ‘Kill me, shoot me,” and began stabbing himself with a knife. 

When officers began giving verbal commands to the man he charged at them on the run wielding the knife in a threatening manner shouting “Shoot me, kill me.” 

Officers continued to shout verbal commands as the man closed the distance between them.

As the suspect closed the distance to around ten feet one officer was forced to shoot the suspect

The suspect fell to the ground, and officers immediately began administering first aid and summoned EMS. 

The suspect, Brian Sherer, age 34 of Centerville, was taken to Reid Health Hospital, then flown by medical helicopter to a hospital in Dayton, Ohio, with what is believed to be, at this time, survivable injuries.

This is all the information available for release at this time, as the investigation remains ongoing. 

Salem Mayor Justin Green said the City of Salem will be providing free trees until the end of May.

“Although Arbor Day is typically celebrated in April, due to COVID-19 the city was unable to have an Arbor Day-related event last month,” Green said. 

“However, in honor of Arbor Day and to promote tree planting throughout the city, we are giving away free redbud trees from now until the end of the month or while supplies last.”

To pick up a free tree to plant, visit City Hall at any time. 

Trees will be located for pick up by the rear entrance. 

Any leftover trees after the giveaway will be planted at Lake Salinda. 

Please check this link for a tree planting guide – https://www.arborday.org/trees/planting/bare-root.cfm

Relying on guidance from the Center for Disease Control, the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association, and the National Parks and Recreation Association, the Salem Park and Recreation Board voted unanimously to keep the Salem Pool closed for the
the entirety of the 2020 season.

“The board went into this process hoping to find a way to open the pool, but in analyzing all the information, found that reopening this season would not be possible,” said Salem
Mayor Justin Green. 

“The restrictions required to open proved to be too difficult to overcome, and still deliver the kind of services the people of our community deserve.”

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb allowed Indiana to enter Stage 3 on Friday, which allowed community pools to open. 

Green said obstacles to opening the pool included significant restrictions in hours, including closures throughout the day to sanitize; the likely elimination of pool parties and swim lessons; and severe limitations on the number of visitors allowed to attend. 

The board determined that this would cause too much disruption in services and too great an inconvenience for guests. 

The requirements would also create a financial burden due
to reduced revenue and increased sanitation and staffing expenses.    

“We are all saddened by this necessary and unavoidable decision, but the health and safety of our guests and employees is our top priority. The Board determined to remain closed was the only way to proceed responsibly,” said Green. 

“We do plan, though, to be at full service again for next season, and hope to see everyone back and enjoying our wonderful outdoor space next summer!” 

During the pool closure, the Mayor and Park Board will be taking time to examine the need for any improvements that could be made between now and reopening.

Washington County and local communities are eligible for more than $1.1 million to cover COVID-19-related expenses through the federal stimulus package, according to State Rep. Steve Davisson (R-Salem).

Indiana allocated $300 million in federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economics Security Act to counties and communities for reimbursement of expenditures related to the pandemic. Davisson said the funding, allocated based on population, cannot be used to replace lost tax revenue.

“So far every community has been impacted differently by this disease,” Davisson said. “While we don’t know how costly the outbreak will be from town to town until it is over, our local governments should consider these funds as a way to recoup expenses related to COVID-19.”

Washington County is eligible for $906,576 in reimbursement funding.

In addition, these local communities are eligible to receive the following amounts:

• Campbellsburg $18,752
• Hardinsburg $7,948
• Little York $6,099
• Livonia $3,893
• New Pekin $44,93
• Salem $201,054
• Saltillo $2,952.

The Indiana Finance Authority is in charge of implementing guidelines on how each county, city and town can use the funding, as well as compiling reimbursement requests through accepted documentation including invoices.

Visit in.gov/ifa for more information.

On Friday, May 22, 2002, Troopers from the Indiana State Police (ISP) in Sellersburg arrested Michael T. Jourden, 31, Salem, Indiana, on one count of Child Molestation, a Level 1 Felony. 

On May 5, 2020, Detective Travis Baker and Officer Eric Mills from the Salem Police Department met after Child Protective Services contacted the Salem Police Department in reference to an allegation of child molestation involving Michael Jourden. 

At the time of the alleged incident(s), Jourden was approximately 24 years old. 

Caseworkers from Child Protective Services conducted a forensic interview of the juvenile victim. 

Officer Mills then contacted Detective Baker and requested ISP assistance with the case. 

After interviewing Michael Jourden, Detective Baker and Officer Mills turned all information over to the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office and requested an arrest warrant.  On Friday, Trooper Jonathan Cain obtained the warrant and arrested Jourden without incident.

Jourden was then incarcerated at the Washington County Jail. 

This investigation is ongoing. 

Jourden is currently being held on an $80,000 full cash bond.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced he has asked the State Budget Agency (SBA) to initiate plans to reduce state agency appropriations by 15 percent for the Fiscal Year 2021 because of the sharp drop in state revenues that was reported for April and to prepare for a continued decline in state revenue because of the economic impact of COVID-19. 

“This is the first of what is likely to be a number of steps we’ll take to rein in state spending while we continue to provide critical government services to Hoosiers without interruption,” Gov. Holcomb said.

“It will be imperative that we effectively manage our resources. During the last economic downturn, the state’s general fund revenues were nearly $3 billion less than forecast. SBA estimates we could face an even greater loss of general fund revenue in the final 14 months of this biennium,” Holcomb said. 

SBA already has initiated actions to reduce spending for the remainder of the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. Cost savings measures were instituted in April to review operations, space, travel, hiring and many other areas for savings.

In addition to the state agency reversions, Gov. Holcomb said the state would not move forward or put on hold several previously announced projects:

• Use of $291 million in reserves to pay for several capital projects approved in the 2020 legislative session. Bonding authority may be used to move forward with those projects later
• Approximately $65 million in Next Level Trails grants
• $110 million of deferred maintenance projects, including $70 million for state parks

“By taking immediate action to tighten our belts across state government, we will maintain maximum flexibility to navigate a still very uncertain economic picture. All options are on the table, and as we approach tax filing deadlines and better understand all of the federal funds available to Indiana, we will make more precise adjustments ahead of crafting a budget for next biennium,” Gov. Holcomb said

In November of 2019, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) awarded Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry a grant totaling $7,500 to fund processing fees on livestock donated to serve Indiana residents.

Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, more than ever, families are struggling to buy groceries. Meat provides one of the most important nutrients (protein) that is vital to the growth and development of children and the health of all Hoosiers. Sadly, it is also one of the most expensive and hardest commodities for hunger relief agencies to get.

Food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens continuously work to protect the most vulnerable and under-served in our communities. These uncertain times are putting added stress and strain on many families and individuals throughout our communities and the number of Hoosiers in need has risen drastically. With the spread of COVID-19, these hunger relief agencies are facing increased demand as people lose income due to the measures put in place to slow the spread of infection.

“Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry has the opportunity to help farmers and reduce food insecurity by receiving 500 pigs per week. The average cost to process a pig is about $200.00 so that is $100,000 per week that we will need to raise. We are so thankful for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture for helping us meet our community’s needs right now.” said Debra Treesh, Executive Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry.

“We are committed to responding to the needs of our communities facing hunger. The funds provided by the ISDA will pay to process about 6,500 pounds of donated livestock – providing 26,000 more meals through area hunger-relief agencies.” shared Amber Zecca, Fund Development Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry.