Madison, IN—Early Saturday morning an Indiana State Trooper was shot during a standoff with an armed suspect on State Road 56 near Madison, Indiana.
The incident began at approximately 2:30 am, when troopers with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post, along with officers from the Madison Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and Switzerland County Sheriff’s Office responded to East State Road 56 in eastern Jefferson County after receiving reports of a male suspect firing shots inside of a residence.
Upon arriving on the scene, officers assisted the other occupants of the home to safety. Officers determined the male suspect, Wade R. Roark, age 59, was still inside the residence. The Indiana State Police-South Zone SWAT Team was activated and arrived on the scene. Throughout the early morning hours, Roark continued to fire shots inside the residence.
At approximately 8:00 am Master Trooper Joseph Livers, an 18 year veteran of the Indiana State Police, sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries to his lower left leg when Roark opened fire and shot Livers while the trooper was positioned outside of the residence. A second trooper returned fire but Roark was not struck by the gunfire. Roark soon exited the residence and was taken into custody by law enforcement.
Emergency personnel immediately provided aid to the trooper who was transported to King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison, Indiana. He was then transported by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further treatment. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Roark soon surrendered to law enforcement officers on the scene. He was arrested and Roark was transported to the Jefferson County Jail. Roark is currently being held on allegations of Attempted Murder, Aggravated Battery, Battery, and Criminal Recklessness
