Randolph County man dead after assaulting Richmond Police officer and fleeing in stolen semi

WAYNE/RANDOLPH CO. – Detectives from the Indiana State Police Pendleton District are investigating the death of a rural Randolph County man. The death, which involved the assault of an off-duty Richmond police officer, happened this afternoon following a pursuit through Wayne and Randolph Counties.

Early Tuesday morning, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office received information reporting the theft of a 1985 Peterbilt semi-tractor. At 11:42 a.m. an off-duty Richmond police officer, later identified as Officer Austin Adams, located the stolen vehicle traveling on US27 near Union Pike. Officer Adams was off-duty and was traveling in his personally owned vehicle. Officer Adams followed the stolen semi while attempting to get uniformed officers to the area. The driver of the semi, for an unknown reason, pulled over to the side of Webster Road near Flatley Road, which allowed Officer Adams to make contact with the driver. Upon identifying himself as a police officer, Adams was assaulted by the driver who was later identified as 40-year-old Troy M. Lewis, of rural Randolph County. Lewis fled the scene after the assault.

Deputies from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and officers from the Fountain City Police Department located Lewis after he fled the scene. Lewis refused to stop as officers pursued him into southern Randolph County. Lewis stopped his vehicle on Base Road south of County Road 850 South. Lewis refused to exit and officers heard a gunshot come from the vehicle. Officers approached the vehicle and found Lewis who was suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. There were no rounds fired by any police officer during the chase.

Medical professionals were summoned for both Officer Adams and Lewis. They were both transported by medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton Ohio. Officer Adams is being treated for serious injuries. Lewis was pronounced deceased by medical staff as a result of the self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Officer Austin Adams is a four-year veteran of the Richmond Police Department where he currently serves on the second platoon patrol division. There are currently no additional updates on his status. All additional inquiries should be made to the Richmond Police department.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the following: Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Richmond Police Department, Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, Randolph County Prosecutor’s Office, Pardo’s Wrecker.