Ferdinand Town Council: Tense discussion with Sheriff’s Department

Dubois County Sheriff Donnie Lampert waited quietly in the back row, near the door, while the Town Council heard departmental reports, opened bids and took care of a couple of other items Tuesday night during their regular May meeting.

Rather than making him sit through old business, Council President Ken Sicard, invited him to share what was on his mind.

Lampert was not a happy camper. He wanted to know how the town defines mutual aid agreements.

The previous Thursday one of his deputies and a jailer were returning from training in Evansville — in a marked car — when a vehicle sped past going 90 to 100 mph. The officer flashed his lights and then went in pursuit. He called dispatch before reaching the Holland exit seeking backup. No state troopers were available, nor other deputies in the vicinity.

As he followed the speeding vehicle with Kentucky plates, he asked for assistance from Ferdinand.

“An officer asked for assistance, and he just came and sat?” Lampert went through a litany of issues in a strident voice with a scowl on his face.

“We come to Ferdinand and assist quite often,” he maintained. “It was a simple request, ‘Can you come and assist me?”’

Ferdinand Police Chief Lloyd Froman noted his department recognizes the need to provide mutual aid and explained the town’s procedures. “Members responding to assist other agencies outside their area of responsibility will be required to do the following: Notify the chief of police, or in his absence the assistant chief of police by phone or dispatch so manpower can be evaluated.”

Froman happened to be out of town, as was Assistant Chief Brian Seffernick. The only officer on duty was Ted Bieker, who followed procedure.

Lampert wanted the council to hear the tape of the incident but could not get his laptop to play, so Froman shared it on his phone.

Because Froman knew Bieker was the only officer available he told Bieker to go to I-64 and observe. “I understand Donnie’s feelings and views,” the chief explained. “It’s a fine line. But we’re responsible for our citizens.”

In addition, per the direction of Sicard Ferdinand officers are not supposed to respond alone on I-64.

Why?

“I don’t want to have to go to an officer’s wife and tell her he was shot because he was responding alone,” Sicard explained.

When Councilwoman Debbie Johnson tried to ask a question, Lampert cut her off. “He thought a Ferdinand officer was going to come out to him, but he [the Ferdinand officer] just sat and watched,” not long after the off-duty deputy stopped the speeder.

Lampert could not or possibly would not say whether a citation was issued, suggesting that was a moot point.

Bieker saw that the vehicle was stopped and it didn’t appear there was need to respond further.

Added Froman. “I want him [Lampert] to know we will assist any way we can, but he has to remember we have a town to watch.”

Froman said he has been in law enforcement 34 years and remembers when a Ferdinand officer responded to a mutual aid request from Santa Claus to a break-in at a pharmacy. While the officer was there, the Ferdinand pharmacy was broken into.

What was not mentioned by the sheriff was the four times Ferdinand officers responded to calls from the Sheriff ’s Department for mutual aid during the three days following the incident under discussion.

In the end everyone agreed it was in the best interests of the community and county to continue working together.

The council also:

•Opened and conditionally approved the low bid from Quality Craft Construction of Dale ($161,879.94) for the Virginia and 16th Street water main replacement project. As there is currently no utility department superintendent, Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer will review the bid, along with the engineer and attorney.

•Heard an update on progress with the phosphate removal project from engineer Jon Wetzel with Midwestern and approved claims from Graves Plumbing for $21,780 (Division 1), $48,251.15 (Division 2) and $25,000 for Shaneyfelt and Bohnenkemper Law Office for several years’ work to get this project up and running.

•Heard departmental reports from all superintendents and also from Town Manager Chris James.

•Learned from Matt Weyer the Park Board has primarily been focused on the Old Town Lake walking trail in preparation for submission of a grant, due June 1. An archaeological study of the area along with a wetland determination study are in progress and Universal Design is drafting the drawings. Meanwhile, James is finalizing a presentation to the Sisters of St. Benedict which he will present Saturday during the sisters’ council meeting about a land swap needed for the trail.

•Also from Weyer, a report on park activities. He noted a grill area was recently completed at 5th Street Park and issued thanks to the Möbel Foundation for the grant that made this possible, as well as the many other grants the foundation has provided the community.

•Were ready to welcome back Demi Jahn and Anna Hagedorn as summer interns, Anna for the third year and Demi for the fourth. The two will be in charge of summer recreation and will assist all departments, especially with technology.

•Heard from Schaefer the sewer main to Royal Ridge Apartments is a quarter of the way installed.

•Approved plans for the Color Run as part of the Sisters Summer Social.

•Will meet again June 13.

This article has been edited to more clearly indicate Ferdinand officer did respond to calls for mutual assistance four times after the incident the sheriff referred to with the council. We also removed the sentence about Officer Rob Randle being unavailable due to handling another case.