THE FOLLOWING IS AN INDIANA STATE POLICE RELEASE
Vigo County – Detectives from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post have been requested by Sheriff John Plasse to investigate an officer-involved shooting incident that took place on June 14, 2023, at 7479 South Carlisle Street in Vigo County. At approximately 4:40 p.m., deputies of the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to 7479 South Carlisle Street, in reference to a welfare check of a suicidal male subject. An off-duty Vigo County Deputy arrived at the residence a short time later and attempted to communicate verbally with the male subject in distress. Moments later, an on-duty deputy arrived and observed that the male subject had guns in his possession. The on-duty deputy then provided the off-duty deputy with a department issued service rifle due to the off-duty deputy not having any guns in his possession. The deputies gave verbal commands for the male subject to drop a rifle that he was holding, but the subject disregarded the commands and pointed the rifle at the deputies. The off-duty deputy then fired one shot, striking the subject. Medical assistance was immediately provided to the subject, however he was pronounced deceased at the scene. Neither deputy received injuries during the incident. The on-duty deputy was wearing a body-worn camera.
The male subject has been identified as James Dockery, age 45, of Terre Haute, Indiana.
The off-duty deputy involved in this incident is Deputy Dayton Huebner. Deputy Huebner has ten years of service. He has been placed on administrative leave, which is customary in officer-involved shootings. The on-duty deputy has been identified as Sergeant Chris Hawkins. Sergeant Hawkins has six years of service.
The investigation is being conducted by Indiana State Police detectives, Sergeant Michael Featherling, Don Curtis, Jason Schoffstall, and Ryan Winters, with the assistance of CSI Sergeant Branden Mullen, and CSI Sergeant Tim Rader of the Putnamville State Police Post.
This is an active and ongoing Indiana State Police investigation. There is no further information to release at this time. Upon completion of their investigation, Indiana State Police detectives will submit a full report of the incident to the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Assisting: Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office and the Vigo County Coroner’s Office.
Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent and until proven guilty.
