Jasper PD Honored with Proclamation for National Police Week

At Tuesday morning’s Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, an agenda filled with summer event preparation began with a moment of recognition for the JPD. 

In honor of National Police Week, Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide issued an official proclamation. He particularly thanked the Jasper Police Department, which “unceasingly provides a public service.” Police Chief Chad Dick, who accepted the honor, thanked the mayor and the board, emotionally noting that this is often a difficult week for him. National Police Week, which commemorates the service and sacrifice of police officers, especially pays tribute to those who have fallen in the line of duty. 

On Saturday, May 24, the Dubois County Veterans Council will hold a Memorial Day observance at 10 am on the West side of the Downtown Square. The event will feature a 21-gun salute and patriotic music, and Senator Schmitt will be the guest speaker. There will be a POW/MIA ceremony, which was noted to be even more meaningful with the new monument, and a Missing Comrades ceremony. All of the county’s 13 veterans’ organizations participate, and there will be a joint Color Guard and Flag Detail. A reception will be held down the road at American Legion Post 147 following the ceremony. 

Camp Frank, operated by Austin Simmers, will be returning for its third summer baseball camp for incoming 3 rd graders through freshmen. The cost is $20 per session, or campers can take advantage of a new $100 pass valid for all summer sessions. Camp Frank will be held at Bohnert Park Baseball Fields on May 29 th , June 6 th , 20 th , and 23 rd , and July 14 th , 18 th , and 21 st . Two sessions will be offered daily from 10-11:15 and 11:30-12:45. 

The Patoka Lake Water Shed Committee will be at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, June 7, presenting an educational event for National Trails Day. Guided walks will be available on the Riverwalk Trail from 8 am until noon. The Strassenfest Bike Ride, hosted by DC Multisport, will return on Saturday, August 2 from 8 am until 1 pm. There will be multiple routes throughout the county, with food and water stops along the way. 

In his report, Police Chief Chad Dick provided an update on officer hiring. One position has been filled, and the department will move forward with advertising to fill the remaining open position. At the Chief’s request, the board adopted statewide policies including minimum standards for vehicle pursuits and defensive tactics training. The review process is in progress for departmental policy adjustments as required to meet minimum state standards and will be presented to the board once complete. 

The Chief also gave an overview of some of the department’s recent activity. On April 9 th , officers responded to reports of a runaway juvenile on Portersville Road. When officers located the vehicle, it fled and then crashed, at which point the juvenile ran from vehicle. They were located and transported to the hospital. When State Police requested that the parents come to the hospital in New Albany, JPD provided courtesy transport for the parents to be reunited with their child. 

On April 13, the JPD responded to a restaurant on West 6 th Street, where a female was reported to be crawling inside the ceiling tiles. A warrant was already out for the female’s arrest, and she was located and taken into custody. Patrons of the restaurant complimented offers’ professionalism and commended them for their actions. On April 16, officers identified and arrested a suspect after confirming reports that they had threatened someone with a gun at a local restaurant. On April 21 during a traffic stop, K9 Mack was called in and located drugs in the vehicle. 

Chief Dick noted that these are only a few examples of what officers see each months, saying, “Our detectives, I can’t say enough about the work that they do.” For two of the department’s very difficult cases, involving crimes against minors, sentencing was carried out this month to remove some dangerous offenders from the community. Chief Dick noted that it’s “very tough work when they’re dealing with those cases, but very good work.” 

In other business, Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang received permission to hire American Test Center for ladder testing. Bids were opened for the new Street Department forklift, which the board opted to take under advisement for further consideration, and the new snowplow. The Street Department received the board’s permission to seek quotes for the annual rejuvenator Pavement Preservation, and the release of the University Heights performance bond was also approved. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit jasperindiana.gov or JasperGov-Indiana on Facebook.


 - By Drew Hasselbring