Indiana State Police (ISP) detectives arrested a Fredericksburg man Monday morning following a physical altercation and shooting in rural Washington County near Salem.  

Around 4:30 Monday morning, Officers from the Salem Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call reporting a person suffering from a gunshot wound was stopped on State Road 56 near East Wallace Lane just east of Salem.  

When officers arrived, they found 51-year-old Jed Elliott of North Franklin Church Road behind the wheel of a pickup truck and suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the arm.  

A female friend accompanied Elliott in the truck. 

EMS quickly transported Elliott to University Hospital in Louisville for non-life-threatening injuries, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department requested that ISP detectives and Crime Scene Investigators assume the investigation.  

Detectives Travis Baker and Steven Peyton and Crime Scene Investigator Andrew Taylor responded.  During the investigation, Detective Baker learned that Jed Elliott pulled behind a shed at his residence in the early morning hours.  Tyler Dylan Gay, of Fredericksburg, was also at that residence and observed Elliot, whom he recognized, pull in behind the shed.  Investigators believe Gay then walked from the residence armed with a handgun and confronted Jed Elliott.  The two men were then involved in a physical altercation, during which Tyler Gay fired the pistol, striking Elliott in the arm.  After being shot, Elliott and his friend fled the scene before stopping on the side of State Road 56 and calling 911.  

As a result of the investigation, Detective Baker arrested Tyler Dylan Gay for Aggravated Battery, a Level 3 Felony.  Officers transported Tyler Gay to the Washington County Jail without incident.

This case is still under investigation.  

The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a 2023 conviction of a Washington County man found guilty of Class C misdemeanor for OWI. The decision was handed down on May 23.

Charles R. Heath was found guilty of operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to at least 0.08 but less than 0.15 in a jury trial last year. He was acquitted on a Class A misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated. Heath was sentenced to 60 days in the Washington County Detention Center with 40 days suspended and 350 days of probation.

“The Court of Appeals decision was what we expected, based on the facts of the case and the parameters of the law,” said Prosecutor Tara Coats Hunt. “Operating while intoxicated is a serious crime and endangers our community. I am pleased that the Court upheld Mr. Heath’s conviction.”

Heath appealed his conviction on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction, specifically that the evidence did not prove that his BAC was at least 0.08 at the time he operated his truck. 

On May 17, 2023, Heath drank beer and homemade moonshine before driving to the Dollar General Store to buy a box fan. On the way home, he drove into a grassy area near the Little League ballfields, hitting a picnic table. A coach saw him and approached to see what was happening. Heath told the man to mind his own business and drove off. Police located him shortly after 8 p.m. at his home. After consenting to a breath test, one was administered at 9:15 p.m.

To his point, Heath argued that the alcohol testing took place around two hours after he was seen driving, which he said is too long. Heath was at his home for approximately a half hour after the ballpark incident and said it is reasonable to infer that he consumed the alcohol that led to his 0.97 BAC during that time period.

However, in its opinion, the Court noted that a chemical test must be administered within three hours after a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe the person committed an offense.

The opinion states, “Heath now asks us to reweigh the evidence, which we will not do. There is sufficient evidence to support Heath’s conviction for Class C misdemeanor operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to at least 0.08 but less than 0.15.”

Indiana State Police arrested 35-year-old Brittany Baylor, a Jeffersonville resident and home-based childcare provider, on felony charges after a child in her care died in 2022.

After receiving the report, the Prosecutor’s office forwarded the report for review to doctors at Norton’s Pediatric Protective Services. 

That report was returned to Detective Bennett in May of 2024, and the Clark County Circuit 4 court issued a warrant for Brittany Baylor on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. 

The warrant listed the charges as:

     –Aggravated Battery resulting in Death, 1 Count, Level 1 Felony.

     -Neglect of a Dependent resulting in Death, 1 Count, Level 1 Felony.

Brittany Baylor was arrested Tuesday evening without incident and transported to the Clark County Jail.   

The tragic investigation began in July of 2022 when the Jeffersonville Police Department (JPD) requested Indiana State Police Detectives investigate the heartbreaking case of an unresponsive 6-month-old infant after officers from Jeffersonville initially responded to the scene.  EMS personnel initially rushed the child to Clark Memorial Hospital but ultimately transferred the child to Kosair’s Children’s Hospital (now Norton’s Children’s Hospital) in Louisville, Kentucky.  The child died later that day.    

ISP Detective Mike Bennett led the investigation, which included interviews with the parents and Baylor, as well as speaking with pediatric doctors.  Detective Bennett also attended an autopsy conducted by the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office.  The final autopsy report stated the child’s death was due to a closed head injury sustained in an assault.

Detective Bennett provided his completed report to the Clark County Prosecutor’s office in September 2022.   

Recently, six probationary troopers graduated from the 85th Indiana State Police Academy, Lateral Class. Three of those probationary troopers are being assigned to the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post and will begin their next phase of training, which includes a two-month field training period while riding with veteran troopers. Upon successful completion of field training, the troopers will be assigned a state patrol vehicle and will begin solo patrol. 

These officers have already completed over 800 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques as well as hands-on training at the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.  The curriculum included criminal and traffic law instruction, emergency vehicle operations, psychology, crash investigation, self-defense, first responder, and other general law enforcement-related training.

The three new troopers that were assigned to the ISP-Versailles Post are Jacob Lusby, Noah Moore, and Bryce Protraffke.

Trooper Jacob Lusby, age 26, Milan, Indiana, is a 2016 graduate of South Dearborn High School, Aurora, Indiana.  After high school, Trp. Lusby attended Indiana University-East where he attained a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  Prior to being hired by the Indiana State Police, Trp. Lusby served as an Aurora Police Officer for nearly five years.  Trp. Lusby comes from a long line of law enforcement officers with his grandfather and father both having retired from law enforcement.  His brother is a current police officer in Dearborn County. 

Trooper Noah Moore, age 27, Greensburg, Indiana, is a 2016 graduate of North Decatur High School, Greensburg, Indiana.  After high school, Trp. Moore served as a corrections officer for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office for two years and as a Decatur County Deputy for nearly five years.

Trooper Bryce Potraffke, age 26, Milan, Indiana, is a 2015 graduate of Rising Sun High School, Rising Sun, Indiana.  After high School, Trp. Potraffke attained an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Ivy Tech.  He then worked for Dearborn County Community Corrections as a field officer before being hired as a police officer with the Rising Sun Police Department.  Trp. Potraffke was employed as a police officer with the Rising Sun Police Department and Aurora Police Department for approximately five years total before being hired by the Indiana State Police.      

Individuals interested in a rewarding career as an Indiana State Trooper should visit http://www.in.gov/isp/careers. This website provides a detailed synopsis of the application process and career information about the Indiana State Police Department.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Quarterhill plans to conduct temporary lane closures on I-265 between International Drive and the Lewis and Clark bridge beginning on or after Saturday, June 8, to complete in-road sensor maintenance work in Clark County. Work is expected to take up to two days, weather permitting.

The lane closures are currently scheduled as follows:

• Saturday, June 8 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (weather permitting): The right lane of eastbound I-265 will close between International Drive and the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Clark County.
• Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weather permitting): The left lane of eastbound I-265 will close between International Drive and the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Clark County.
• Sunday, June 9 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (weather permitting): The left lane of westbound I-265 will close between International Drive and the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Clark County.
• Sunday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weather permitting): The right lane of westbound I-265 will close between International Drive and the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Clark County.

CRAWFORD COUNTY

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Pacific Painting Company, Inc. plans to close State Road 62 over Dry Run located east of Leavenworth on or after Monday, June 17, to complete a bridge rehabilitation project in Crawford County.

The closure will take place approximately 2.4 miles east of State Road 66 and is expected to take up to 10 days, weather permitting. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 66 to S.R. 135 to S.R. 62.

This project is part of a contract awarded to Pacific Painting Company in August 2023. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling in and near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

BLOOMINGTON 

The Indiana Department of Transportation plans to extend the duration of the North Smith Road closure at State Road 46 in Bloomington to complete additional utility relocation work. North Smith Road was previously scheduled to reopen as soon as early July.

Once utility relocation work is complete, construction will resume. Additional information, including an updated timeline, will be provided by INDOT at a later time. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 46 WB to the E State Rd 46 Bypass to S.R. 45 to North Smith Road.

This contract was awarded to Milestone Contractors in May 2023. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

COLUMBUS

 Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) is scheduled to reduce State Road 46 to one lane over the East Fork White River on or after Wednesday, June 12, to complete routine bridge inspection and testing in Columbus.

Work will take place on S.R. 46 just east of S.R. 11 and is expected to take up to three days, weather permitting. Crews will be actively working from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Flagging operations will be utilized while work is in progress. 

JACKSON COUNTY

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dave O’Mara Contractors is scheduled to close State Road 250 between Brownstown and Dudleytown on or after Monday, June 17, to complete a box culvert replacement in Jackson County.

The closure will take place approximately one mile east of State Road 39 and is expected to take up to five weeks, weather permitting. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 250 to U.S. 50 to S.R. 11.

This project is part of a $4.5 million contract awarded to Dave O’Mara in January 2023. The contract includes a total of six district bridge projects. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

LITTLE YORK

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dave O’Mara Contractors is scheduled to close State Road 39 over Henry Creek on or after Monday, June 17, to complete a bridge rehabilitation project near Little York.

The closure will take place approximately one mile north of State Road 56 and is expected to take up to 75 days, weather permitting. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 56 to I-65 to S.R. 256.

This project is part of a $4.5 million contract awarded to Dave O’Mara in January 2023. The contract includes a total of six district bridge projects. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor RAM Construction Services plans to begin work on State Road 60 (Salem Bypass) on or after Monday, June 17, to complete a series of bridge rehabilitation projects near Salem.

Work will take place on S.R. 60 at three different locations between Jackson Street and State Road 56 and is expected to be complete by early August, weather permitting. Temporary traffic signals will be utilized while work is in progress. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction.

This work is part of contract awarded to RAM Construction in December 2023. The contract includes a total of three bridge projects located on S.R. 60 in Washington County. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling in and near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

According to Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey, the period for school board filings is currently open and runs until June 20^th at Noon.

The positions will be on the ballot on November 5. 

Those positions are:

• Salem Community Schools: 4 At-Large seats
• East Washington Schools: Polk Township and Town of Pekin seats
• West Washington: Seats in Madison, Posey and Vernon Townships.

Candidates must reside in the district seat that they are seeking and are to petition to be on the ballot by acquiring 10 registered voters signatures in that school district.

“We recommend completing two petition forms (CAN-34) capturing 20 “good” signatures to have enough at the time of filing,” said Rockey.

Potential candidates may call the Clerk’s office at 812-883-5748 or stop by with any questions.