Updated: Sheriff’s Department police dog, Diesel, dies in line of duty

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated as of Nov. 16th.

Bartholomew County Sheriffs Department police dog Diesel was killed Saturday afternoon while working near Interstate 65.

According to the sheriffs department, deputies were working on a domestic battery call at about 4:20 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The suspect was found near County Roads 600S and 650W and after a short vehicle pursuit, the suspect ran away.

Diesel was released by his handler to pursue the suspect, while deputies stayed behind to deal with two other occupants of the vehicle. The dog chased the suspect into the woods near the interstate. Shortly afterwards, Diesel was found dead in the travel lanes of the highway. The suspect, 36-year-old Michael Stephens of Columbus, was found hiding in a ditch.

Authorities do not yet know what led to the dogs death. He was taken to the sheriffs department where his handler and family were given time with him.

The domestic battery victim was taken to the hospital for her injuries.

Stephens is facing new preliminary charges of cruelty to a law-enforcement animal, resisting law enforcement, domestic battery, strangulation and intimidation as well as two outstanding warrants for domestic battery.

Diesel joined the sheriff’s department in December 2016, after $18,000 for his purchase was raised by then-dispatcher and current deputy Dylan Prather. Real World Testing provided the majority of the money for Diesel’s purchase and gave him his name.

Sheriff Matt Myers said the incident remains under investigation and the department is looking for anyone who witnessed the events near the 62-mile marker of Interstate 65 between 4 and 4:30 Saturday afternoon. If you have any information you can call 812-379-1650 to speak with Lt. Chad Swank.

Photo above: Diesel receiving his badge at a ceremony in December 2016 at the Bartholomew County Commissioners meeting.