Special Prosecutor Assigned To Dearborn Co. Officer-Involved Shooting

Monday, January 14, 2019 at 11:57 AM

By Mike Perleberg @mikedup84

The investigation into the deadly shooting in Dearborn County is continuing.

Photo by Indiana State Police.

(Dearborn County, Ind.) - The Dearborn County prosecuting attorney will hand the case of an officer-involved shooting to another prosecutor to review.

An Indiana State Police trooper and a Dearborn County Sheriff’s deputy were in the shooting on Saturday.

They responded to the Five Point Road home of 58-year-old Christopher Schmitt, where Schmitt reportedly pointed a firearm at the two officers. They fired at Schmitt, who was hit and later died at a hospital.

On Monday, Dearborn-Ohio County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens announced Dearborn Circuit Court Judge James D. Humphrey has appointed Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel to the case as a special prosecutor. This after Deddens made the request because the shooting involved local law enforcement officers, thus presenting a potential conflict for her.

Indiana State Police at the Sellersburg Post are still investigating the officer-involved shooting. Once they complete the investigation, they will give the findings to Hertel. He will review the case for any potential charges or wrongdoing by the officers.

ISP Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, public information officer for the Versailles Post, said Monday that both officers are on administrative leave, per department protocol.