Report of a domestic incident turned into a standoff with authorities

Deputies were able to use that information to affect a probable cause arrest for Leonard Salyer, 30, of Winamac

A drone and police dog were used in what ended up in a physical arrest for Pulaski County sheriff's deputies.
Deputies with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Knox Police Department in reference to a domestic dispute that originated in Pulaski County. A woman had fled the residence under duress and made it to Knox, where she called law enforcement. Upon Pulaski County deputies taking the report, there were reportedly clear signs that an altercation had occurred. It was alleged there was a firearm involved in the incident, threats of self-harm and harm to others, and alcohol was a factor. 

Deputies were able to use that information to affect a probable cause arrest for Leonard Salyer, 30, of Winamac. A search warrant was also obtained for the residence. Under direction of Sheriff Chris Schramm and Sergeant Seth Barton, a call out of Pulaski County deputies was directed.

Six deputies responded directly from their residences to a staging location near the residence. With felony offenses, a threat of weapons, and possible intoxication, the safety risk to all involved drastically increases. Upon arriving off-site and receiving a briefing, deputies traveled to the residence to execute the search warrant. 

Prior to all units arriving at the residence, utilizing drone support, law enforcement was able to receive real time footage of the situation in the residence. Deputies were able to use their vehicles, ballistic helmets, ballistic vests, and ballistic shields for security while announcements and negotiations were attempted. Lights, intermittent sirens, loud speakers, and various announcements were made with no response from inside.

Utilizing shields deputies approached and opened the door to the residence. More announcements were made with no response. Utilizing a first person drone, a deputy flew the drone into the residence to locate the suspect. The drone was able to pinpoint the suspect inside of residence and give deputies real time information of the suspect’s location and actions. 

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Department then utilized K9 Tiko to enter the residence. The K9 located the suspect kept the Salyer in his original location long enough for deputies to safely move into the residence and take him into custody. Once detained the suspect then began to resist and push deputies around. 

Leonard Salyer was booked into the Pulaski County Justice Center Confinement, a Level 3 Felony, Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony, Domestic Battery, Level 6 Felony, and Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor. 

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Department noted in its press release that incidents such as this occur annually and emphasize the need for continued support in equipment and training. Nearly all of the deputies employed by Pulaski County have attended SWAT School, or an equivalent “High Risk Search Warrant” School to be prepared to handle these incidents. Deputies receive continuous monthly training in firearms, hands on defensive tactics, and de-escalation.