Joseph Paul

Journal & Courier

PULASKI COUNTY, Ind. — Four police officers who fatally shot Peter J. Doffin March 28 after a multi-county pursuit were cleared this week by Pulaski County Prosecutor Daniel Murphy.

The officers, including two Tippecanoe County sheriff's deputies, shot Doffin after he climbed out of his wrecked vehicle and made threatening gestures, according to Indiana State Police.

After reviewing a 195-page report, taped interviews and dash camera footage recorded at the scene, Murphy said the officers "acted in accordance with Indiana law and properly used deadly force to protect themselves and others."

As the Journal & Courier reported, deadly police-action shootings prompt internal and criminal investigations to determine if the officers violated state law or their department's policies and procedures.

"We found that the shooting was justified," Murphy said.

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The police chase began about 5 a,m. in Warren County after Doffin allegedly abducted his daughter from her home, crossing into Tippecanoe, White and Pulaski counties until an oncoming semi forced his SUV off the right side of U.S. 421 just south of Francesville.

Deputy Branson Eber of Pulaski County, deputies Jodi Rohler and Jon Eads of Tippecanoe County, and Monon Town Marshal Roger Young fired the fatal shots, ISP said in a news release.

Pulaski County Coroner John Behn confirmed Doffin, 36, died from blood loss due to multiple gunshot wounds.

Doffin's death came less than two years after another multi-county chase and deadly officer-involved shooting roughly three miles south on U.S. 421.

In April 2015, a suspect in an Illinois robbery, car-jacking and kidnapping was fatally shot by two Indiana State Police troopers and two Tippecanoe County sheriff's deputies after he pointed a firearm at them.

Reach Journal & Courier reporter Joseph Paul at 765-420-5339.