Indiana deputy shot, killed while serving warrant

RUSSIAVILLE, Ind., March 20 (UPI) -- One Howard County deputy sheriff was killed and a second was injured Sunday morning while they were attempting to serve a warrant in north central Indiana.

Indiana State Police confirmed Howard County Deputy Carl Koontz died and Sgt. Jordan Buckley was injured.

Koontz was 27 years old and a three-year veteran with the Howard County force.

"With an extremely heavy heart I'm sorry to report Deputy Carl Koontz has succumbed to his wounds," state police Sgt. John Perrine wrote in a tweet.

"Rest in Peace Howard County Deputy Carl Koontz," Indiana's Department of Natural Resource's Law Enforcement Division wrote on Twitter. "Our hearts are heavy and your ultimate sacrifice will never be."

Attempting to serve a warrant, the deputies entered a Russiaville, Ind., residence after their knocks on the front door went unanswered. The deputies exchanged fire with the resident, but retreated after Buckley and Koontz went down.

"A Russiaville officer and other deputies were able to extract the wounded officers from the residence and provide first aid," state police said. "Both Koontz and Buckley were transported initially to Howard Regional Hospital, stabilized and then airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis."

In the wake of the gunfire, SWAT teams from Howard County, Kokomo Police and the state police cleared the area and neighboring residents from their homes. The suspect was found dead inside the home.

Police haven't identified the suspect or confirmed the cause of death.