PLAINFIELD, Ind. — A Plainfield police officer was recognized Monday at the town council meeting for his efforts to keep a shooting victim alive back in March.
Tow truck driver Matt Roberts went to help a stranded driver, Joseph Jackson, on I-70 near Plainfield on March 25. Jackson's 4-year-old daughter was in the car with him at the time.
According to Indiana State Police, when Roberts arrived to help Jackson, Jackson shot Roberts, grabbed his daughter out of the car, then jumped into the tow truck and drove off.
Plainfield Officer Jake Smith responded to the scene and found Roberts had been shot several times. He put a tourniquet on Roberts' arm to prevent blood loss from one wound. He packed another wound in Roberts' chest with gauze and held it with his finger to prevent further blood loss from that wound.
“He reacted to his training the way he is supposed to. We train our officers on tourniquets. We train them on trauma situations like this and he took his training and put it into action,” said Joe Aldridge, deputy chief of support for the Plainfield Police Department.
Roberts was in critical condition when medics took him to the hospital, but Smith was able to keep him alert and talking long enough to get details about Jackson, helping other officers find him, since he drove off.
“He was able to provide suspect information to Officer Smith, which ultimately helped apprehend the suspect within minutes afterward,” Aldridge said.
Thanks in part to the care Smith gave to Roberts on the scene, Roberts survived his injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
“I know each and every one of you would say, 'We’re just doing our job,' but to me and my family, you doing your job to the best of your ability is the reason I stand here tonight,” Roberts said. “I consider you as brothers and I can’t wait to get back out there with you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Stay safe. Stay strong.”
Four other officers on the case were also awarded for their work in arresting the suspect and relaying information to state police.