The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A motorcycle crash Sunday killed an off-duty sheriff’s deputy, the latest shock to an Indianapolis law enforcement community already grieving the fatal shootings of two police officers.
Shaken officers rushed to the accident scene Sunday morning where Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Jones, 33, died. Many learned of the five-year veteran’s death almost immediately through the department’s internal paging system.
It was the third police death in seven weeks in Indianapolis. The other two were slain in the line of duty by mentally unbalanced gunmen. Indianapolis police Patrolman Timothy Laird died Aug. 18, and Butler University Police Officer James Davis Jr. died Sept. 24. Both were 31.
“The law enforcement community here has had a really, really bad season,” Lt. Brian Mahone said. “The public has been great in showing their support. Right now the Marion County Sheriff’s Department is in mourning.”
Jones was riding his personal motorcycle when he struck a median strip at a freeway interchange around 5 a.m. Jones lost control was thrown from the motorcycle, Mahone said.
“A motorist was driving home and saw a reflector in the road and slowed down to avoid it, at which time they saw his body laying on the side of the road. The motorcycle was off of the roadway,” Mahone said.
Jones and his wife had a young daughter.