Tearful Indiana sheriff vows justice in deputy's fatal shooting
LEBANON, Ind. - A central Indiana prosecutor has filed formal murder charges against a man in the fatal shooting of a sheriff's deputy during a foot chase last week. A second man has been arrested and charged with criminal recklessness and leaving the scene of an accident.
Boone County sheriff Mike Nielsen choked back tears Tuesday afternoon as he told reporters he had personally arrested both Anthony Baumgardt, 21, and and John Baldwin, Jr., 28.
Authorities say Baumgardt shot Deputy Jacob Pickett in the head on Friday while the deputy was helping chase Baumgardt, Baldwin, and one other man in Lebanon. Baldwin, who had been the officers' initial target, was driving the vehicle initially used in the pursuit.
According to charging documents obtained by CBS affiliate WTTV, Baumgardt told police, "I shot a cop because they were going to take me to jail."
Baumgardt has been jailed since Saturday after he was released from a hospital where he was treated from being wounded when other officers returned fire. Court and jail records don't list an attorney for Baumgardt.
In addition to murder charges, Baumgardt has also been charged with possession of an illegal handgun, methamphetamine and marijuana. He is being held without bond, Boone County Prosecutor Ted Meyer told reporters Tuesday.
During the press conference, Nielsen also introduced Pickett's K-9 partner, Brick, who was with him at the time of the shooting.
"I am angry, I am so angry. I am sad, I am heartbroken," said Nielsen. "Jake, we will not give up until justice is done for you."
Boone County Prosecutor Ted Meyer told reporters that the state intends "to keep Baldwin in custody until he pleads guilty, or is tried and convicted." Meyer stated that there is a lot of "digital evidence" in the case, and indicated that more people may be charged in what is still an ongoing investigation.
Meyer, visibly upset as he was giving his statement, said he knew Pickett personally. "Deputy Pickett was a good man, a wonderful police officer, he was liked by all, he was a pleasure to work with, and he's going to be deeply missed."
The funeral for Jacob Pickett is set for Friday in his hometown of Brownsburg, Indiana.
On Monday, Baumgardt's father told WTHR-TV reporters he's more concerned about the deputy's family than his son.
According to Robert Baumgardt, his son quit school, left home about five years ago and got caught up in drugs and related crimes.
"He just went down the wrong road, had the attitude he don't care," Baumgardt said. "You can't help somebody that can't be helped."
He said his heart goes out to Pickett's wife and two young children.
"I'm hurting for everybody," Robert Baumgardt said. "What he's done don't hurt just a couple families, it's hurting the whole world."
