Novak issues statement on state trooper shot outside of Michigan City

Today, July 10, an Indiana State Police trooper was shot near the Speedway gas station along U.S. 421 south of I-94. This marks the second time in two months that a law enforcement officer has been shot and injured in LaPorte County. In May, LaPorte County Sheriff's Deputy Jon Samuelson was critically injured after he assisted a stranded motorist by taking him to the hospital and later realized the individual was a suspect from an incident in Illinois.

The state trooper injured in today's shooting is in "stable" condition. The suspect allegedly drove a stolen pickup truck into the trooper's vehicle and then proceeded to shoot at the trooper. The suspect was later found deceased.

State Rep. Randy Novak (D-Michigan City), whose district both shootings occurred in, released the following statement in response to today's shooting:

"Our law enforcement officers wake up every day knowing the risks that come with the badge, and they show up anyway. Behind every badge is a person with a family waiting for them to come home. Deputy Samuelson's story reminds us that even an act of kindness, helping a stranded motorist, can put an officer in harm's way. When one of them is shot in the line of duty, the entire community feels it, and their families feel it most of all.

"I am grateful for the first responders and medical personnel caring for the state trooper injured today, and for every officer who continues to serve LaPorte County despite these dangers. To them I say: We see you, we are grateful for you and we will not accept violence against you as normal. Two shootings in two months is two too many. This has to stop.

"I ask all of our neighbors to keep the state trooper in our prayers as well as all emergency responders."