INDIANA OFFICER STRUCK BY FLEEING CAR

A Greensburg Police officer narrowly avoided being hit by a vehicle once only to have the car turn around and strike him. Sgt. Steve Barnes has been released from the hospital after being struck by a car driven by 17-year-old Kendra L. Tucker, St. Paul, who was fleeing the scene of an alleged fight.

“He jumped out of the way the first time but the driver then realized there was no way out of the apartment complex to the east,” Greensburg Police Chief Bill Meyerrose said. “The car turned westbound and when it started to slow Barnes thought it was going to stop. He yelled ‘Stop, police!’ but the car accelerated. He attempted to jump out of the way again but he was hit.”

The car struck Barnes in the right leg, causing his right arm to hit the hood of the vehicle.

He was treated for his injuries at the Decatur County Memorial Hospital and released. Barnes was green-lighted to return to work immediately. Barnes had his weapon drawn when he was struck, and by law most likely would not have been negligent in using it, but Meyerrose thinks he did the right thing.

“Our primary concern is the safety of the public. He was in the middle of an apartment complex and, if something had gone wrong, who knows where the bullet could have gone,” the chief said. “During an event like that your training kicks in. It’s not just about self preservation but the well being of everyone on the scene. Even the suspect.”

Still, in the wake of the death of an officer in Shelbyville last week, keeping his charges safe is high on Meyerrose’s priority list.

Five officers from the GPD and five from the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department attended the funeral Tuesday for their fallen comrade.

“If he hadn’t gotten out of the way at the last second we would be

faced with some serious injuries to a police officer, or worse,” Meyerrose said. “I’m extremely pleased with how this turned out. We can deal with bruises and soreness. That’s a lot better than a grave injury or death. I’m glad that’s not what we are dealing with.”

The incident started at 12:04 a.m. Wednesday when the GPD received a complaint of a fight involving three individuals at the Colonial Manor Apartments.

Upon arrival, Barnes observed two males and a female arguing. As he approached, the female took off running with Barnes following in foot pursuit. The female entered one of the apartment buildings through a rear door, exited through a front door and entered a vehicle, started the vehicle and proceeded east.

After striking Barnes, she left the apartment complex, followed by officer Jarrod McCalvin in his police vehicle with lights and siren on.

Also assisting in the pursuit were Sgt. Eric Blodgett of the GPD, who heard the incident on the radio while off duty, and deputy Rob Duckworth of the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department.

Tucker took police on a wild ride and at times reached speed in excess of 100 m.p.h. She left the complex on Davidson Street, drove North on Lincoln Street, went onto the bypass and down Freeland Road until she hit a dead end. At that point, she drove through a lawn and make her second U-turn of the evening.

Police stayed behind her as she went South on State Road 3 and turned into the construction area at the bypass and U.S. 421.

“At least she was somewhat responsible,” Meyerrose said with a wry smile. “She used her turn signal going onto 421. We were also glad it was late at night and there were far fewer people on the roads.” Tucker next turned onto Vandalia Road and gave up where it turns into CR 240 NW.

The pursuing officers jumped out of their cars and conducted a felony stop. This includes drawing weapons and ordering the suspect to get down spread eagle on the pavement. “The arrest went off without incident. Stopping was the wisest decision she made all night. I think her common sense kicked in. She didn’t wreck her car and she decided the time for game playing was over,” Meyerrose said. “The officers took all precautions because they didn’t know the level of danger they were dealing with. If she was willing to go as far as injuring a police office, we didn’t know what her mindset was. They continued the pursuit, even at high speeds, because they needed to get her stopped. If she was willing to accelerate her car at a police officer who knows what she was willing to do or what danger she posed to the public.”

Tucker was taken to Decatur County jail by Duckworth and later transported to the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center. She faces charges of resisting law enforcement and battery on a police officer, both Class D felonies, with an additional misdemeanor charge of possession of alcohol. Her breathalyzer test revealed she had a blood alcohol content of .004 but she did have an open container of beer in the vehicle.

Police were unable to question Tucker because of her age and the fact her parents were out of town. She did, however, make a spontaneous statement to her brother who showed up after she was jailed. “I just panicked when I saw the police,” she said.