Two officers wounded, suspect dead in Lawrence County shooting

MITCHELL, Ind. -- A traffic stop on Sunday around 3:15 a.m. led to shots being fired, two deputies suffering injuries and a dead suspect, according to the Indiana State Police.

Troopers report that Joshua Rhoades, a Lawrence County Sheriff's Deputy, pulled over 29-year-old Anthony Richmond of West Baden Springs in the 4800 block of State Road 37 for a traffic violation.

Shortly after initiating the traffic stop, Mitchell Police Officer Christian Anderson and his K9 partner arrived to assist.

Following an open-air sniff from the K9 officer, the traffic stop evolved into a drug investigation as the presence of narcotics was detected, according to police.

Troopers searched the car and allegedly discovered narcotics.

When they attempted to put Richmond in handcuffs, he fled on foot from officers and ran west across State Road 37 into a grassy area.

When officials caught up to Richmond, he began to resist arrest, drew a handgun and began firing at officers at point blank range, according to officials.

Both Rhoades and Anderson were shot in the struggle.

One of the officers returned fire and wounded Richmond, according to police.

Deputy Rhoades was hit twice and was transported first to IU Bedford Hospital and then by helicopter to IU Methodist Hospital. He has been released from the hospital.

Officer Anderson suffered one non-life-threatening injury and was also taken to IU Bedford and IU Methodist. He remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Richmond was first attended to at the scene and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Lawrence County Sheriff Greg Day released a statement regarding the situation:

“This tragic incident underscores the dangers that law enforcement officers face each day, even in our beloved Lawrence County. I am extremely proud of the actions and response by officers from my office as well as our law enforcement and first responder partners. I am very thankful Deputy Rhoades and Officer Anderson will make full recoveries, and I am mindful that a family is mourning the loss of a loved one. The lives of many people were affected by a senseless criminal act. Thank you to our brave officers for their dedication and courage.”

The event was captured on officers' body cameras and the footage is now being reviewed by investigators.