DANA, Ind. — An Indiana sheriff's deputy was shot and wounded after a pursuit that started in Illinois ended in western Indiana Friday evening. The suspect was also shot when he drove at officers who had surrounded him in a barn.
Indiana State Police are investigating the incident, and shared details Saturday morning.
Deputy Joey Wilson, a five-year veteran with the Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department, was shot in the leg and foot and scheduled for surgery Saturday.
The suspect, Justin Henry, 46, of Urbana, Illinois, was wounded after police say he fired shots at Wilson and tried to run over other officers in a stolen truck. Henry had an active arrest warrant for attempted murder issued on Feb. 7, 2023 in Champaign County, Illinois.
The chase began when police in Danville, Illinois tried to stop Henry's vehicle for a traffic violation shortly before 7 p.m. Police said Henry disregarded emergency lights and headed toward Indiana. Danville police learned as they gave chase that the car belonged to Henry and he was wanted for attempted murder.
The pursuit left Vermilion County, Illinois and entered Vermillion County, Indiana, eventually ending on Indiana 71 and County Road 700 South, just outside Dana, a town near the Indiana-Illinois line about 30 miles north of Terre Haute.
Police say Henry got out of his disabled vehicle and fired shots toward officers, hitting Wilson. Officers shot back and began giving first aid to Wilson.
Henry ran from the shooting scene toward a nearby barn, jumping over a fence to evade the police, who surrounded the barn.
A farm truck then drove through the closed barn doors towards the officers, who fired at the oncoming truck, wounding Henry in the driver's seat. Eventually, the truck stopped against a grain bin, and Henry was given first aid by police. He was then driven to Union Hospital in Clinton, Indiana, before he was flown to Indianapolis for further treatment. Police have not shared an update on Henry's condition.
While State Police detectives investigate, the officers involved in the shooting from Vermillion, Parke and Fountain counties, along with members of the Rockville and state police, will be placed on administrative leave — per protocol in officer-involved shootings.
When finished with their investigation, Indiana State Police detectives will submit a full report to the Vermillion County Prosecutor’s Office for review and determination of any charges.