Every available Law Enforcement asset is en route to Franklin Furnace for a report of an Officer Down from the Scioto County Sheriff’s Department.
Richard Turner aka “Peck” has been identified as the main suspect. He’s said to be only wearing underwear and in the area of Big Doney Road.
The status of the officer is unknown. They are calling it an attempted homicide by drowning.
The officer was taken to SOMC by Green Township medics.
If you see the suspect, contact 911 immediately. Do not approach.
Updates
After 7:30 p.m., a resident of 895 1/2 Junior Road reported that he observed a camper with the door open on his property. A number of police officers, the K9 unit, and an OSP helicopter, which had just arrived on the scene, rushed to the scene.
The homeowner advised that the door was now shut, the blinds were drawn and it appeared someone was looking out the window. The homeowner advised that he had a rifle in the camper.
Police were told to take cover. The scene commander said, “Time is on our side”.
The OSP helicopter advised that they had one hour of flight time to assist.
Knowing that the information was a lead, and there could be other dangers in the area, officers fanned out and took up posts in several locations.
Just before 8 pm, officers from Ironton Police arrived with their K9 unit.
It’s believed the suspect’s mother lives nearby. Officers have secured that residence.
A command post was established in Haverhill to oversee the activity on the ground.
8:20 pm, the officers made entry into the camper. After 2 searches, they cleared the camper and found the suspect was not inside.
Just before 8:30 pm, someone contacted 911 and said a man in underwear running down Napoleon Lane. The Mobile Command Center was quickly moved to the Marathon gas station in Franklin Furnace.
Moments after these photos were submitted by a subscriber, the OSP helicopter spotted an unknown heat signature coming from a nearby treeline. These officers quickly scrambled to follow the instructions from the helicopter pilot.
After a very coordinated search of the area, they were unable to locate the suspect. The OSP chopper needed fuel and went to Huntington.
The Green Township Fire Station was asked if they could allow officers to use their facilities as a new command center.
Reports are now coming in regarding the officer. He’s been unofficially identified as Deputy Ben Vance. A source familiar with his condition told SCDN exclusively that “His lungs have been flushed out.” The source indicated that the deputy is currently awake and alert. Sources familiar with the Deputy tell SCDN that Vance was formerly a New Boston police officer and had just recently joined the Scioto County Sheriff’s Department.
Richard Turner was booked into the Scioto County Jail at 3:40 am on Tuesday. He’s been charged with 2 counts of Attempted Murder, Felonious Assault, Domestic Violence, Breaking and Entering, Obstruction, and a Probation Violation.