Police Log
Lawrence County Independent News
DEPARTMENT UPDATE: Leadership Changes at Bedford PD
Significant personnel changes are taking place at the top of the Bedford Police Department this week. Colonel Joe DeWees is retiring after more than 38 years of service to the City of Bedford. Major Brian Turpen is also concluding nearly 37 years of service to the community. Both officers are transitioning into new roles as School Resource Officers with North Lawrence Community Schools, where they will continue to serve the local school district. Additionally, the board has officially promoted
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Police Log 07/01/2026
Police Log: June 30 – July 1, 2026 📍 Bedford Police & Lawrence County Sheriff's Departments The following report covers local public safety activity from the past 24 hours. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Notable Arrests * 🚔 Robert Wilson (48), Bedford: 2631 16th St (Jay C Plus) – Arrested by Bedford Police at 4:11 PM on June 30 following a multi-offense vehicle incident. Charges include Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (.15% & Above / Co
DEPARTMENT UPDATE: Leadership Changes at Bedford PD
Significant personnel changes are taking place at the top of the Bedford Police Department this week. Colonel Joe DeWees is retiring after more than 38 years of service to the City of Bedford. Major Brian Turpen is also concluding nearly 37 years of service to the community. Both officers are transitioning into new roles as School Resource Officers with North Lawrence Community Schools, where they will continue to serve the local school district. Additionally, the board has officially promoted
NEW INDIANA LAWS TAKING EFFECT TOMORROW (JULY 1ST)!
A lot of new rules are hitting the books tomorrow, and we want to make sure you are up to speed on what’s changing. 🚭 VAPES & TOBACCO * School Zones: Vape shops can’t open within 2/3 of a mile from a school (older shops already open are grandfathered in). * Under 21: It’s now a ticketable offense for anyone under 21 to purchase or possess a vape. * Getting ID'd: Store clerks must now ID anyone buying tobacco or vapes who looks under 40. * Banned Vapes: Foreign-made vapes not approved by t
The Lawrence County Workforce Crisis – Frozen Wages, Cut Support, and a 30-Day Insurance Scramble
Over the last 72 hours, multiple Lawrence County employees from various departments have securely reached out to us. Their combined accounts reveal a severe, ongoing financial and administrative crisis inside our local government. Under the umbrella of "budget issues," county leadership has enacted a series of drastic changes that are directly impacting the livelihoods of the front-line workers who keep our county operational. Here is what is happening behind closed doors: 🔴 The 30-Day Insura
Police Log 06/30/2026
Police Log: June 29 – 30, 2026 📍 Bedford Police & Lawrence County Sheriff's Departments The following report covers local public safety activity from the past 24 hours. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Notable Incidents & Arrests * 🧒 Juvenile Resisting Arrest: A 15-year-old was taken into custody by Bedford Police units at 1:44 AM on June 29 at 1300 block of 15th St following a welfare check call. The juvenile faces charges of Resisting Law Enf
🏛️ COURT NEWS: Collins Sentenced Following Multi-Year Misdemeanor Case 🏛️
📍 BEDFORD, IN — A misdemeanor case that has lingered on the local docket for over four years has reached its final resolution in Lawrence Superior Court 1. In a finalized Sentencing and Commitment Order issued on June 26, 2026, Pro Tem Judge Robert R. Cline sentenced Jessie Collins following a negotiated plea agreement with the State. Collins entered a plea of guilty to a single misdemeanor count in exchange for the complete dismissal of five other pending charges. 🔍 A History of Absconding🏛️ COURT NEWS: Jones Sentenced to 8 Years for Failure to Register - Ordered to House Arrest 🏛️
📍 BEDFORD, IN — A resolution has been reached in Lawrence Superior Court 1 regarding a high-level registration violation case. In a finalized Sentencing and Commitment Order issued on June 24, 2026, Pro Tem Judge Robert R. Cline handed down an 8-year structured sentence to Donald E. Jones, Jr., 61, following a felony conviction heavily amplified by a sentence enhancement. Jones entered a plea of guilty to a single major criminal count after executing a formal waiver of his rights. ⚖️ The Stru🏛️ COURT NEWS: Swartz Sentenced to 14 Years for Level 3 Felony Methamphetamine Possession 🏛️
📍 BEDFORD, IN — A major drug enforcement case has concluded in Lawrence Superior Court II. In a finalized Sentencing and Commitment Order issued on June 25, 2026, Judge Robert R. Cline handed down a 14-year structural sentence to Claude David Swartz, 49, following a felony drug conviction. Swartz entered a plea of guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 3 Felony. Under the terms of the negotiated plea agreement, any and all other counts originally brought against Swartz in this causePUBLIC RECORD AUDIT: What is Happening to Our County Workforce?
We are looking closely at the systemic changes impacting Lawrence County employees—decisions being made quietly behind closed doors under the banner of "2026-2027 budget issues." While the commissioners recently adopted the 26/27 county budget publicly, we are receiving concerning reports from inside the county workforce about severe internal cuts that are not being communicated to the taxpayers. Here is what we are hearing is currently happening behind the scenes to the people who keep our coPolice Log 06/29/2026
📍 Bedford Police & Lawrence County Sheriff's Departments The following report covers local public safety activity from the past 24 hours. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Bedford Police Department Activity Overnight & Morning Log (June 27 – 28) * 🚑 09:34 PM (June 27) – Medical Emergency – 2802 I St. * 🚑 09:58 PM (June 27) – Medical Emergency – 210 Lincoln Ave. * 🚔 10:53 PM (June 27) – Traffic Violation – 16th St & Hillcrest Rd. * 🔊 11:07
Police Log 06/28/2026
Police Log: June 26 – 27, 2026 📍 Bedford Police & Lawrence County Sheriff's Departments The following report covers local public safety activity from the past 24 hours. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Notable Incidents & Arrests * 🔍 Death Investigation: Lawrence County Sheriff's Department units responded to the 1700 block of Salem Rd in Heltonville at 4:31 PM on June 27 following a report of a body found. * 🚔 Philip Roy Newton (57), Bedford