Local Trooper receives Meritorious Service Award

Pendleton - Lt. Kevin Rees, Commander of the Pendleton Post, announced that local Indiana State Trooper Josh Watson was presented a Meritorious Service award Monday May 5 by State Police Superintendent Dr. Paul Whitesell, Ph.D. Trooper Watson patrols Hamilton County in the Pendleton District. He is a four year veteran of the State Police and originally is from Henry County. In addition to Trooper Josh Watson, Master Trooper William Lux, Troopers Joseph Neal, Kurt Steinkamp, and Probationary Trooper William Patterson also received the Meritorious Service Award for their actions on Interstate 70 in the fall of 2007.

The citation as read by Superintendent Dr. Paul Whitesell, “It was October 4, 2007 that drew these four state police officers together as they responded to the report of a suspect who had just shot and killed his wife in front of the couple’s four young children. The shooting occurred outside the lobby of a hotel near US 41 and Interstate 70 from which the suspect fled in a vehicle – reportedly with all the children in the vehicle. The suspect and his vehicle, with the children aboard, were spotted on Interstate 70 and a lengthy pursuit ensued. The chase did not end until the suspect had collided with a police vehicle and struck stop sticks. Police vehicles from several agencies were then able to surround the suspect who was now stopped on I-70 in the Putnamville District.”

Now in a stand-off situation, with young hostages, Master Trooper Lux was able to engage the suspect in a conversation and was able to secure the release of all but one child. The suspect held the one remaining child with one arm around the child as he clutched a pistol in the same hand while also pointing the gun at the child.

During this time the other troopers worked to strategically position themselves to react if there was an opportunity to rescue the child. Trooper Watson, a member of the State Police Emergency Response Team, positioned himself with his rifle to maximize his ability to take appropriate action if the situation deteriorated.

The stand-off continued with Master Trooper Lux trying to convince the suspect to release the last child as the suspect was making phone calls to relatives threatening suicide.

During this time the suspect pointed his pistol at Trooper Watson, at which time Trooper Watson fired one shot from his rifle that mortally wounded the suspect. Immediately after Trooper Watson shot the suspect Trooper Neal was able to grab the child and rush to a safe area.

The actions of these officers, and other assisting agencies, saved the lives of innocent children who would have likely been in grave danger had the suspect not been located and stopped before he could inflict more harm than had already occurred.