Investigation in Death of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office K9 Diesel

Any additional information to contact the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office and speak with Lt. Chad Swank of the Investigations Division at (812) 379-1650.

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(Bartholomew County, Ind.) – On November 14, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office K9 Diesel was involved in a foot pursuit which resulted in his death in the line of duty.

The sheriff’s office later found Diesel laying in the lanes of I-65 where they removed him from the roadway, currently, the sheriff’s office is investigating to find Diesel’s cause of death.

The suspect, who was later identified as Michael Stephens, 36, of Columbus was apprehended on outstanding warrants as well as additional preliminary charges. Stephens is being held in jail on a 48-hour hold.

Stephens’ warrant charges are one count of domestic battery committed in the presence of a child less than 16 years old, and domestic battery committed in the presence of a child less than 16 years old. New preliminary alleged charges are as follows; cruelty to law enforcement animal, resisting law enforcement, domestic battery, intimidation, and strangulation.

If you or anybody you know who was traveling on I-65 on Saturday, November 14 near mile marker 62 between 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. has any additional information, or think that they might have seen something is asked to contact the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office and speak with Lt. Chad Swank of the Investigations Division at (812) 379-1650.