On Tuesday afternoon, December 12, for the fifth time in recent weeks, troopers from the Putnamville Post utilized aircraft for their speed enforcement efforts.

Indiana State Police Sergeant Lee Wright, from the ISP Aviation Section, piloted his Cessna 172 Skyhawk to the Putnamville District, and joined forces with Putnamville District officers, Sergeant Jared Nicoson, and Troopers Bill Bradbury, Tom Hanks, Brent Robinson, and Erik Smith. 

Patrolling high above US 41 in southern Sullivan County, Sgt. Wright would detect speeding vehicles below, utilizing his VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer and Recorder) and a set of pre-determined painted lines on the roadways edge. Sgt. Wright would then radio the units below and guide them to the target vehicle to ensure the correct vehicle was stopped for enforcement action. 

During the three hour period, 2pm to 5pm, troopers issued (19) traffic citations (16 for speeding) and (29) warnings. The highest speed of the afternoon was 85mph in a 60mph zone.  

Drivers are highly encouraged to obey the posted speed limits, as ISP will be increasing aircraft patrols throughout the coming 2018 year. 

Picture of ISP Plane Attached. 

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Plans are already being made for the annual New Year’s Day free meal distribution organized by the Sheriff’s Department’s reserve officers and off-duty officers as well as a small army of volunteers and members of the Johnson Township Volunteer Fire Department.

These groups will be fixing and delivering free meals to any elderly person or shut-in residing in Scott County who wants one on January 1, New Year’s Day. 

Anyone wishing a meal must call the Sheriff’s Department at 812-752-8400 ext 1 by 4p.m. on Friday, December 22nd. 

Callers need to leave their names, complete street addresses and telephone numbers where they can be reached.

Organizers also need to know how many meals will be needed per household.

The tradition of preparing and delivering New Year’s Day meals started several years ago as a project of the reserve force out of concern for the elderly and shut-ins. Last year, 160 meals were sent out from the Blocher-based fire department.

Reserves and volunteers will be preparing meals consisting of ham, green beans, potato salad, a roll and dessert. Deliveries will start from the Blocher-based fire department.

“Due to the holiday delivery dates from our food vendor, we are asking everyone to make sure they call us by Friday, December 22nd, to get on this distribution list,” advised Wendy McClain, jail matron.

An Indiana State Trooper from the Sellersburg Post was shot in the head Tuesday night by a Jeffersonville man.

Oscar Kays, 79, Huston Drive, Jeffersonville, was arrested and in jail.

Tuesday at approximately 7:05 pm, Trooper Morgenn Evans from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg made a traffic stop for a traffic infraction near the intersection of Park and Jefferson Streets in Jeffersonville.

The traffic stop involved a gray 1999 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck being driven by Kays, 79, from Huston Drive in Jeffersonville.

During the traffic stop Oscar Kays became combative and pulled a handgun and shot at Trooper Morgenn Evans.

Trooper Evans was struck in the head but was able to return shots at Oscar Kays while he was fleeing the scene.

Evans got back to his police car and gave chase a short distance but Oscar Kays was able to escape and returned to his home on Huston Drive where he was taken into custody by the Jeffersonville City Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff’s Department.

Trooper Morgenn Evans was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, KY with non-life threatening injuries.

Kays was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, KY with unknown injuries.

At this time it is unknown if Trooper Morgenn Evans shots wounded Oscar Kays or if he was wounded by his own gun or debris from the shots fired.

After his release from the University of Louisville Hospital Oscar Kays was charged with Attempted Murder of a Police Officer and incarcerated at the Clark County Jail.

There will not be a press briefing tonight due to the fact no new information will be released.

A press conference will held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 13th in the training room at the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg. No further information will be released until that time.

Evans has been a trooper since October of 2016. His photo in uniform is attached to this release.