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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Carl Koontz was shot and killed as he and other deputies served arrest and search warrants in connection with a narcotics case.
The deputies received no response after knocking on the door and announcing themselves at approximately 12:30 a.m. at the mobile home on the 300 block of Chandler Street in Russiaville. As they entered the house, the subject opened fire on them, striking Deputy Koontz and a sheriff's sergeant.
A Russiaville police officer and other deputies were able to pull both wounded deputies from the residence. They were both transported to a local hospital before being flown to IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Deputy Koontz succumbed to his wounds while in surgery.
The subject, who had been in and out of jail since 2008, was found suffering from a fatal gunshot wound several hours later, after a SWAT team made entry into the home.
Deputy Koontz had served with the Howard County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife, son, parents, sister, and grandparents.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Koontz gave the Howard County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kokomo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Koontz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Carl is the only officer of Howard County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Carl is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Carl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Carl is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2016, 1 officer in IN was killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 2016, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2016, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Carl was 27. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Carl was 27. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Carl was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 17.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Howard County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 6.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Howard County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.