Funeral procession proceeds along U.S. 35

Law enforcement officers from across the state and beyond converged upon Pulaski County Wednesday (Oct. 12, 2005) to pay respects to a fellow officer killed in a tragic accident while responding to a police call early Friday morning.

Funeral services for 34-year-old Pulaski County Deputy Sheriff Shadron K. Bassett of Winamac were held Wednesday at the Church of the Heartland in Winamac.

The Indiana State Police reported that at approximately 12:14 a.m. Friday (Oct. 7) a single-vehicle accident claimed Bassett's life. He was responding to a police call, just one mile south of the Starke County line, when for "unknown reasons" he lost control of his car on State Road 39, hitting a tree on the driver's side of the squad car. He was wearing a seat belt.

Bassett was a two-year veteran of the Pulaski County Sheriff's department. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

Following the funeral, tribute was paid to the officer along a funeral procession route, from the parking at the church through town and past the Pulaski County Justice Center, to the cemetery. At Spring Street, the procession passed under a large American flag held up by two aerial fire trucks across the highway intersection. At the Justice Center a "10-42," a final call of service was dispatched ending Bassett's tour of duty. The call was broadcast by Knox radio station WKVI.

Shadron K. Bassett

Hundreds of law enforcement officials from across Indiana and many parts of the U.S. were expected to attend the funeral or pay respects along the funeral route. County residents also lined the sidewalks along the procession route, and community businesses posted signs of remembrance on marquees. Flags were flown at half-staff.

A police helicopter hovers above the hearse

In the days following Bassett's death, a makeshift memorial was set up in front of the Justice Center where mourners placed flowers, letters, candles and other items.

Following Bassett's death, as county residents joined the local law enforcement community in mourning the officer and preparing for his funeral, neighboring law enforcement officers filled in to provide police coverage for the county.

White County Sheriff John Roberts assisted at the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office in the hours and days following the accident, while Sheriff Paul Grandstaff and his staff coped with the tragedy. State police officers covered road duties while jailers and dispatchers from surrounding counties covered other shifts until after the funeral. Among the counties represented by the officers were Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Jasper, Marshall, Putnam, Starke, Tippecanoe and White.

The funeral procession passes the Justice Center

In addition, counseling is being provided to those affected by the officer's death by crisis team members from around the state.

Sheriff Grandstaff expressed his gratitude at a media conference Monday to all who have provided assistance during the tragedy, noting that help from all around arrived immediately after he placed a single phone call.

The state police, who are investigating the crash, said a preliminary investigation shows Bassett was northbound on Indiana 39 just north of Pulaski County Road 300 North - about seven miles east of Medaryville - when he lost control of his 2005 Crown Victoria.

Bassett was responding to a report of an allegedly intoxicated man on the roof of a residence on 700 North, just south of the Starke County line, according to ISP Trooper Mike Gayer, who was at the scene. Bassett intended to assist the Starke County Sheriff's Department on the call.

A memorial at the Justice Center

Investigators said Bassett's vehicle, as he lost control, traveled into the southbound lane of Indiana 39, then rotated clockwise to travel northeast as it careened off the road to the right into a drainage ditch. The vehicle then hit a tree at the driver's side door. Bassett was pronounced dead at the scene.

Assisting were members of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department, Medaryville First Responders, Medaryville Volunteer Fire Department and Winamac Emergency Medical Team, and the White County Sheriff's Department.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shad Bassett Memorial Fund, set up at First Federal Savings Bank in Winamac, to benefit his three children.

Photos by Karen Fritz

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