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Last updated on Monday, January 1, 2018
(UNDATED) - In October an inmate was found dead in his cell at the Lawrence County Jail; a former Bedford Police officer was arrested; IU installed five granite monuments commemorating IU men’s basketball’s five national champion teams; Paula Stewart named 2017 Outstanding County Treasurer; two men were arrested after crashing into Crane gate.
Inmate Found Dead In Cell At Lawrence County Jail
On October 19th an inmate at the Lawrence County jail was found dead in his holding cell. Indiana State Police investigated the death of 37-year-old Reno Riggle. Indiana State Police investigated the death and have not released any information on what happened. Lawrence County Sheriff Mike Branham says there was no evidence of foul play. He had no further comments until ISP's investigation and LCPD's investigation are complete, according to the news release.
Riggle was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated while endangering a person, operating a vehicle with alcohol content more a blood-alcohol level of more than 0.15 percent, resisting law enforcement and invasion of privacy. He was found unconscious in his cell by a jail officer.
Former Bedford Police Officer Enters Plea Of Not Guilty
Former Bedford Police officer Eddie Allen entered a plea of not guilty on October 17th in Lawrence County Superior Court I.
Allen, 42, was arrested after he was captured on video taking $20 from a man's wallet while he was processing him following an arrest at the Bedford Police Department.
Allen was arrested on a warrant for theft and official misconduct. He posted $755 cash bond and was released the same day.
Allen is being represented by Attorney Timothy Sledd.
According to a Lawrence County Superior Court I probable cause affidavit, Indiana State Police Lt. Greg Ashby was assigned to investigate the possible crime. On Dec. 28th, Allen's body camera captured images of him taking a $20 bill from the wallet of a man he was processing for arrest at the Bedford Police Station and placing that bill in his personal wallet.
The Bedford Board of Works placed Allen on unpaid administrative leave on September 9th, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. Allen has since resigned from the police department.
IU Installs Five Granite Monuments Commemorating IU Men's Basketball's Five National Champion Teams
Five granite monuments and five statues commemorating IU men's basketball's five national champion teams were installed in the Ken Nunn Champions Plaza outside the South entryway to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
The name of every player and coach from each team is included on their respective monument. Images from each season will be included on one side of the monuments, while the other side will feature the team's story and their unique journeys to the national title.
Former coach Bob Knight requested not to be depicted in any monument. IU will honor his decision.
The 1940 monument features depictions of standout players Curly Armstrong, Bill Menke, Jay McCreary, Bob Menke, Bob Dro, Marv Huffman and Bill Torphy along with head coach Branch McCracken.
For the 1953 monument, images of Dick Farley, Burke Scott, Charley Kraak, Bobby Leonard and Don Schlundt with Branch McCracken are featured in addition to a team image with each player holding their national championship plaque.
Kent Benson, Scott May, Bobby Wilkerson, Quinn Buckner and Tom Abernethy, along with the five seniors, are featured on the 1976 monument, along with the numerous trophies they won during their careers.
The 1981 monument features Isiah Thomas, Ted Kitchel, Ray Tolbert, Randy Wittman and Landon Turner. It also includes a depiction of the team photo and a ticket stub from the championship game at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.
On the 1987 monument, Dean Garrett, Todd Meier, Daryl Thomas, Steve Alford, Keith Smart, Daryl Thomas and Rick Calloway are all featured. Thomas, Meier and Alford are also shown holding up the championship trophy after winning the title game.
The monuments were made possible thanks to a donation from Bill and Juanita Beach.
Paula Stewart Named 2017 Outstanding County Treasurer
Lawrence County Treasurer Paula Stewart was presented with the 2017 Outstanding County Treasurer Award by the Indiana Association of Indiana Counties.
Stewart was honored for her public service and contributions to county government.
She currently serves as president of the Indiana County Treasurers Association. She is a member of the AIC Legislative Committee and is currently on the AIC Board of Directors. She has previously served as ICTA Legislative co-chair.
Stewart received the award while attending the AIC annual conference in Switzerland County.
Second Suspect In Custody After Second Pursuit, Three Police Vehicles Damaged
Police officers from several departments participated in a pursuit that landed 18-year-old Clint Ferguson in jail and caused damage to three police vehicles.
(Ferguson)
Police had been searching for Clint Ferguson after he and 18-year-old Jesse Curren crashed into the Crane gate and then fled the scene on foot. Curren was arrested on site.
Police receive a tip that Ferguson had left a home on Sand Pit Road in a Hyundai Sonata and was headed toward US 50 West.
The pursuit continued northbound on State Road 37, went across the bridge, onto Mitchell Road and then Sand Pit Road, were Ferguson crashed in the first curve.
Ferguson fled on foot, but was captured not far from the crash site.
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