After serving 40 years with the Indiana State Police, Joe Vetter has decided it’s time to retire and enjoy more time with his wife and family.

Vetter started his career with the Indiana State Police in 1977 when he graduated from the academy and was assigned to the Connersville Post. In 1979 he was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to the General Headquarters Laboratory in Indianapolis while the Evansville Regional Lab was being built.

Vetter was sent to the National Training Center of Polygraph Science in New York City where he received his Polygraph Examiner certification.

 In March 1980, Vetter was assigned to the Evansville Regional Laboratory and served as the Assistant Laboratory Manager and Polygraph Examiner.

He was promoted to First Sergeant in 1987 to serve as the Laboratory Manager at the Evansville Regional Lab. Vetter retired as an Indiana State Trooper in 2007, but was rehired as a civilian with the rank of Forensic Science Supervisor and was assigned as Laboratory Manager of the Evansville Regional laboratory.

 “Joe has been an integral part of our laboratory operations for over 37 years. The knowledge and experience he developed during his years of dedicated service is not something that we can readily replace.  Joe fostered an atmosphere of respect, open communication, and above all-service to others. Joe has served his staff and the Indiana Criminal Justice System in Southwest Indiana well. His selfless dedication to duty as Manager at our Evansville Regional Laboratory has resulted in him leaving us better than when he started, which in my view is the true mark of a successful career. We all wish Joe well as he and his family start the next well deserved chapter in their lives,” said Major Steve Holland, Commander of the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division.

 Vetter and his wife, Julie, reside in Evansville.

Pekin is gearing up for its 187th continuous celebration of the Fourth of July with evening beginning this Saturday, July 1st running through Tuesday, July 4. 

Fireworks will shoot off Monday night and the annual parade will snake through town beginning at 10a Tuesday morning with the Eastern High School GIRLS 2A State Championship Basketball team leading the way as grand marshals. 

Saturday, July 1 st

10:00 a.m. til 10:00 p.m. – Food Court Open

10:00 a.m. til 10:00 p.m. – Flea Market Open

10:00 a.m. til 10:00 p.m. – Derby City Amusements, Rides, Food, Games

9:30 a.m. 3 on 3 Men’s/ Women’s Basketball 4 Players – per Team

Registration (Freshman thru Adult) 3 teams required for 10:00 a.m. event.

6:00 p.m. Pekin Idol Registration

7:00 p.m. Pekin Idol Contest on Park Stage

Sunday, July 2 nd

12:00 p.m. til 5:00 p.m. – Food Court Open

12:00 p.m. til 5:00 p.m. – Flea Market Open

12:00 p.m. til 5:00 p.m. – Derby City Amusements, Rides, Food, Games

1:00 p.m. Baby Contest Registration at Park Shelter House

1:00 p.m. til 2:00 p.m. Ella Unruh, Singer on Stage

1:00 p.m. 3 on 3 Basketball Boys/Girls Basketball Registration (grades 6-8)

Kids younger, must have Parents Consent

2:00 p.m. Baby Contest on Park Stage

Monday, July 3 rd

4:00 p.m. til After FIREWORKS – Food Court Open

4:00 p.m. til after FIREWORKS – Flea Market Open

4:00 p.m. til after FIREWORKS – Derby City Amusements, Rides, Food, Games

5:00 p.m. til 9:00 p.m. – Borden’s Lion Club Fish Dinner at Park Shelter House

6:00 p.m. til 8:00 p.m. – Lacefield & James Music Entertainment

8:00 p.m. – Hell’s Half Acre Hillbilly Burlesque Show

8:30 p.m. til after FIREWORKS – Lannie Hat & Hickbilly’s

10:00 p.m. FIREWORKS by Zambelli @ Pekin Park

Tuesday, July 4 th

8:30 a.m. Parade line-up @ Eastern High School Parking Lot

10:00 a.m. PARADE – Sandi Ison, Coordinator with Family & Friends

Theme – 2017 – “All for One, One for All”

Grand Marshall – EHS GIRLS 2A BASKETBALL TEAM – 2A BASKETBALL-CHAMPIONS 2017

12:00 p.m. til 5:00 p.m. – Food Court Open

12:00 p.m. til 5:00 p.m. – Flea Market Open

12:00 p.m. til 5:00 p.m. – Derby City Amusement, Rides, Food, Games

12:00 p.m. til 2:00 p.m. – Borden Lions Club Fish Dinner at Park Shelter House

12:00 p.m. Presentation of “Colors” – Pekin American Legion Post 203

Invocation by Brad Moore, Pastor @ Blue River Baptist Church

Star Spangled Banner – McKenna Keltner

Pledge of Allegiance by Pekin American Legion Post 203

Reading of the Preamble of Declaration of Independence –

Eastern High School Valedictorian – Katelyn Endris

Back Home Again in Indiana – McKenna Keltner

Welcome Patrons – Anita Temple, Pekin 4 th President of the PCBO- 2017

Veterans – Honored by the Christopher Harrison Daughters of the American Revolution with the United

States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Committee Honor by Carol Crockett Weatherholt

12:30 p.m. EHS 2A Girls’ Basketball State Championship Celebration – Coach Mike McBride

Principal, Darin Farris & Athletic Director, Scott Newcomb – Championship Ring Presentation

EHS Booster Club Event , EHS High School Band by Matt Lindley

1:15 p.m Dollars for Scholars of Eastern High School – Ray Ramsey & Terry Thixton

2:00 p.m. Prince & Princess Contest on Stage – Darlene Hall

4:00 p.m. Queen Contest – Pekin 4 th of July Queen – Darlene Hall

5:00 p.m. 2017 Queen – Crowning Announcement

5:00 p.m. Special Thanks and closing by Anita Temple, President PCBO 2017

A 59-year-old Jackson County man was ran over by his John Deere tractor this morning and flown to Methodist Hospital. 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a farm accident this morning at 9:13a at 4400 South of County Road 400 East in Grassy Fork Township. 

Officer Adam Nicholson was the first to arrive at the scene and found Kevin A. Hackman had been ran over by his tractor. 

Police learned that the accident occurred when Hackman attempted to start the tractor while standing on the ground. The tractor took off upon starting. 

A friend of Hackman’s, Brian Elliott, told police he found Hackman in the yard, who was complaining of leg and chest pain. 

Elliott told police the tractor was still running when he arrived, and ran into the residence. 

Elliott shut the tractor down and then attended to Hackman until emergency personnel arrived. 

Jackson County Officer Rob Henley, and Jackson County EMS arrived and began providing medical treatment to Hackman. 

Hackman was transported to the helicopter pad outside Schneck Medical Center and airlifted to Indianapolis.