2 officers on leave after shots fired in police-action shooting

Two Jennings County officers are on administrative leave following last weekend's police-action shooting in North Vernon.

The investigation of that incident, which involved at least four officers from two departments, continues by the state police.

Jennings County Prosecutor Alan L. Marshall said Wednesday afternoon he did not know why Sgt. Jeff Jones and Officer Jason Bliton of the Jennings County Sheriff's Department are on leave.

"It might be because of some departmental policy," Marshall said. Sheriff Steve Hoppock could not be reached for comment.

Jones and Bliton were among officers who responded to a 10:52 p.m. report of a fight, which began in the first block of North Fifth Street. Other officers responding were North Vernon Sgt. Craig Kipper and Officer Andrew Richmond, Marshall said.

Police have declined to identify which officers fired their weapons and shot Jacob Miller, 29, of North Vernon in the leg.

That information won't be released until the state completes its investigation, Marshall said.

Kipper and Richmond were the first two officers to arrive at the scene of the incident that eventually led to the arrest of Miller. Miller was eventually charged with 11 crimes, including attempted murder.

Police said when officers arrived at the scene they reported seeing Miller, allegedly involved in the fight, run into his apartment at 6 N. Fifth St.

Police said as officers with North Vernon and Jennings County police departments approached the apartment they heard what appeared to be multiple gunshots.

At least one officer then fired his gun and officers set up a perimeter around the apartment and called for assistance, police said.

An oral probable cause hearing was conducted Monday in Jennings Circuit Court to determine if there was enough evidence to hold Miller because the 48-hour hold period was nearing, Marshall said.

Marshall said the police-action shooting is the first he can remember in Jennings County since the mid-1990s.