Deputy Carl A. Koontz

At approximately 12:30 a.m., Deputy Koontz and other officers were attempting to serve drug-related warrants at a mobile home in the 300 block of Chandler Street in Russiaville, Indiana. After knocking on the door and announcing their presence without receiving a response, the officers entered the home and were fired upon by an occupant inside. Deputy Koontz and Sergeant Jordan Buckley were struck.

Officers returned fire, removed the wounded deputies from the residence, and provided first aid. Deputy Koontz and Sergeant Buckley were transported to Howard Regional Hospital and then airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Responding SWAT units from Howard County, Kokomo and Indiana State Police were unable to make contact with the occupants inside. They entered the home and found the shooter dead.

Deputy Koontz succumbed to his injuries shortly after 11:00 a.m. following surgery.

On August 17, 2016, the bridge near the Howard County Sheriff’s Office at Markland and Park Avenues was dedicated as the Deputy Carl A. Koontz Memorial Bridge.