This story has been updated to add new information.
MUNCIE, IN — The flags outside the Delaware County Justice Center were at half-staff on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
The flags had already been lowered after the Nov. 3 death of former Vice President Richard Cheney. But local officials on Wednesday morning said the Justice Center display is now in tribute to a sheriff’s deputy who a few hours earlier lost his life in the line of duty.
Blake Reynolds, a 31-year-old corporal with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, was killed shortly after 4 a.m Wednesday as he helped the driver of a disabled semi along Interstate 69’s northbound lanes near the 247-mile marker.
According to Chief Deputy Jeff Stanley, Reynolds was “outside his vehicle” when he was struck by another northbound semi-truck.
“Despite immediate emergency response efforts, the deputy did not survive his injuries,” Stanley said in a news release.
The resuscitation efforts continued until after Reynolds had been taken by ambulance to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Delaware County Coroner Gavin Greene, notified of the fatality about 4:45 a.m., said an autopsy was conducted Wednesday at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.
The deputy’s remains were taken from the hospital to Meeks Mortuary in an honor procession later in the morning.
Indiana State Police are investigating the fatality.
The driver of the semi that struck the other truck and Reynold’s patrol car was later identified by state police as Teddy Malcom Johnson, 39, of New Haven. He was reported to have gone into surgery after being flown by medical helicopter to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
State police said they are unaware of Johnson’s condition status.
The northbound lanes of the interstate were closed for several hours in the wake of the accident, with traffic being diverted onto Indiana 28, about two miles south of the scene of the accident.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our law enforcement family and for the entire Delaware County community,” Stanley said. “We are grateful for the outpouring of support and prayers from the public and thank all the assisting agencies who responded to this tragic scene.”
According to Stanley, Reynolds joined the sheriff’s department in 2022 and “quickly distinguished himself through his hard work, professionalism and leadership, earning a promotion to the rank of corporal.”
He had also served in the Army National Guard.
Reynolds was also a newlywed. He and wife Allison had married in June.
“His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, his brothers and sisters in uniform, and the entire community he served with pride,” Stanley said.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Delaware County sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty on Interstate 69
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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