On September 10, 2019, Deputies James Shelton Johnney Coomer and Cory Hulsizer responded to a fight call involving two males on Slateford Road.

It was learned that one of the males had a gun. Upon arrival, deputies were attempting to subdue a suspect when he began resisting and fighting with them.

After a short scuffle, the male identified as Christopher Davis, 33, of Lexington subdued by officers and transported to the University of Louisville Hospital for evaluation and treatment from injuries sustained from fighting with the other male prior to deputies arriving.

The other male identified as Patrick Riley had an outstanding warrant from Clark County Indiana and after being treated at the Scott Memorial Hospital was released to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

Both Deputy Shelton and Coomer were medically evaluated at the Scott Memorial Hospital and released.

On September 11, 2019, charges were filed against Christopher Davis by the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office and an arrest warrant was issued for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Felon, Pointing a Loaded Firearm, Battery Committed with a Deadly Weapon and Resisting Law Enforcement Using or Drawing a Deadly Weapon.

After receiving the arrest warrant deputies responded to an address on Slateford Road where Christopher Davis was placed under arrest and transported to the Scott County Jail without incident.

Assisting agencies, Indiana State Police, Austin City Police, Scottsburg City Police Scott County EMS and the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office.

Troopers of the Indiana State Police Putnamville District has been advised by several citizens of scammers using the identification of Social Security Administration stating that there are issues with your social security number. 

This is an attempt for scammers to get your social security number and personal information for identification theft.  

When receiving a call, never assume the caller ID is correct, and know that scammers will often use the names and numbers of local or national agencies or even your own family members.

If you receive a call from a number you don’t recognize, don’t answer.  If it’s someone that needs you, they will leave a voicemail. If in doubt, call the local agency or family member back to verify the call or voicemail.

As a reminder, never give out personal information such as date of birth, social security number, or credit card number. Many of these scammers want you to make a hasty decision and may pressure you or use fear to get your money or personal information.

Be aware that transactions made by prepaid card or wire transfer are nearly impossible to recover once sent.

The best defense against these scams is a well-informed public with a healthy dose of mistrust when receiving an unsolicited phone call or email asking for money, a hasty decision, or personal information.

It is important for everyone to talk to their family about these phone scams and to have a plan in place should a scammer call you or someone you love. Because phone scams have become nothing short of an epidemic, being aware of potential scams is a great first step in protecting yourself from falling victim to one. 

Yesterday, September 10^th at approximately 2:40 pm, the Indiana State Police investigated a crash involving a school bus and three other vehicles in southern Bartholomew County that resulted in three injuries.

The investigation by Trooper Matt Holley, Indiana State Police, determined that a 2013 Dodge Dart being driven by Shanaya N. Brown, age 27, Columbus, Indiana was traveling southbound in the 11000 Block of South State Road 11 in Bartholomew County. 

Brown’s vehicle was being followed by a 2014 GMC Terrain being driven by Jack A. Cooper, age 71, Seymour, Indiana. 

Brown slowed due to vehicles slowing in front of her vehicle.  Cooper swerved into the northbound lane of State Road 11 to avoid Brown’s vehicle. 

Cooper’s vehicle collided nearly head-on with a northbound 2004 Jeep Liberty being driven by Maria G. Hernandez-Zarate, age 56, Seymour, Indiana. 

Cooper’s vehicle also collided with Brown’s vehicle after making contact with Hernandez-Zarate’s vehicle.

Hernandez-Zarate’s vehicle then struck a 2019 Thomas Built School Bus being driven by Daniel R. Ginger, age 68, Seymour, Indiana that was traveling southbound on State Road 11 following Cooper’s vehicle. 

The Seymour Community School Corporation bus had approximately 33 students on the bus at the time of the crash. 

Jack Cooper and Maria Hernandez-Zarate were both transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. 

A 17 year old female student, who was on the bus, was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

State Road 11 was closed for nearly two hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

The investigation is ongoing.

Trooper Holley was assisted by other troopers with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post, officers with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Wayne Township Fire Department, and Columbus Regional Hospital EMS.

Salem High School’s homecoming is coming up on September 27 and these are the candidates. 

Crowning is before the varsity game.

Front row: Seniors, Logan Anderson, Lexi Bussone, Izabelle Foster, Tyler Bowman

2^nd row: Juniors, Peyton Arthur, Addi Bundy, Jalen Stephens, not pictured- Jasmine Bateman

3^rd row: sophomores, Johnny Moore, Shylea Knapp, Ella Heavin, AJ Gooch

4^th row: freshmen, Gabe Alexander, Maleah Blevins, Kaylie Fourman, Kellen Humphrey

Two members of the Indiana State Police, who have been married for almost 24 years have recently announced their retirement from the Department following a combined total of more than 60 years of law enforcement experience.

Master Trooper Richard R. Crawford, a native of Huntington, Indiana was a 1976 graduate of Huntington North High School.  Crawford proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force from 1980 to 1984.

After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Crawford began his law enforcement career as a Trooper with the Maryland State Police in 1984, assigned to the College Park Barrack, where he was assigned patrol duties for the next four years.  He then transferred to the Executive Protection Section and served for the late Governor Donald Schaffer.

In the summer of 1990, Crawford was accepted into the 48^th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy, and on December 9, 1990 he was appointed as a Trooper assigned to the Fort Wayne Post. 

He patrolled DeKalb and Steuben Counties for approximately five years before transferring to other duty assignments at the Putnamville, Bremen and Indianapolis Posts over the following several years. 

He also served in the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division before transferring to the Executive Protection Section, where he served his final 11 years, under Governors Mitch Daniels, Mike Pence and Eric Holcomb.

During his career with the Indiana State Police, Crawford has been a Field Training Officer, a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon and Honor Guard Commander.  He was recently presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Eric Holcomb.

Lieutenant Nicole R. Crawford, a native of Martinsville, Indiana was a 1988 graduate of Martinsville High School.  In 1991, she began her law enforcement career with the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Police Department, and in 1992, she earned a Bachelor Degree in Secondary Education from IUPUI.

In August of 1993, Crawford entered the 50^th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy, and on December 20, 1993 she was appointed as a Trooper assigned to the Bremen Post.  During her early career, she transferred to other duty assignments at the Putnamville and Fort Wayne Posts. 

Crawford served in the Problem Oriented Policing Section before taking an undercover assignment in the Drug Enforcement Section, where she earned a promotion to the rank of Sergeant.  In 2005, she worked to help establish the Department’s new Meth Suppression Section and in 2009, she was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant where she served as that Section’s Commander.

In 2015, Crawford was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and served the remainder of her career in the Training Division.  It was also during this year that she attended and graduated from the 262^nd Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy.

During her career, Crawford has served the Department as a Field Training Officer, a Defensive Tactics Instructor, a member of the Clandestine Laboratory Team, and in 2017 she attained the status of Master Instructor.  She also represented the State Police as a Counselor for the American Legion Auxiliary Hoosier Girls State for 20 years.  Crawford has accepted a position with the Tennessee Dangerous Drug Task Force and she will be working out of their Chattanooga office.

State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter commented on the commitment and dedication of both Rich and Nikki by saying, “It has been a pleasure to serve alongside both of these dedicated public servants who have given way more to our citizens then they will ever get in return. I wish them all the best in the coming years as they both embark on the next chapter of their lives.” 

The Crawfords are proud parents to three grown children and proud grandparents to five grandchildren.