Warsaw Man Receives Five-Year Sentence For Punching Officer
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — A Warsaw man received a five-year sentence after punching an Indiana State Police trooper.
Ross Edward Patrick, 33, 1692 E. 200N Lot 54, Warsaw, was charged with battery resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer, a level 5 felony; resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony; and driving while suspended prior, a class A misdemeanor.
Patrick was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Monday, Nov. 29.
On May 18, a State trooper was traveling west on Winona Avenue in Warsaw when he saw a vehicle parked at a business. Upon performing a license plate check, the trooper was notified that the vehicle’s registered owner had an outstanding arrest warrant. The owner was identified as Patrick.
According to BMV records, the return also showed that Patrick had a suspended driver’s license. When confronted by the trooper, Patrick turned to face the trooper and then began running. While Patrick fled on foot, the trooper deployed a Taser. One of the device’s prongs hit Patrick in the right shoulder. Patrick then fell to the ground and drew back to punch the trooper, swinging his right arm with a closed fist.
Patrick hit the trooper on the lower left jaw. He then ran and at various times would turn around and enter a fighting stance. The trooper was able to tackle Patrick and take him into custody.
Patrick was previously convicted of driving while suspended in January 2012.
During court proceedings, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek said the case dramatically increased in severity when Patrick decided to begin resisting arrest.
“That was so incredibly dangerous,” said Sobek. “I’m happy and thankful that the officer and Mr. Patrick are safe.”
Defense Attorney Dana Leon said Patrick acknowledges the risk and harm his conduct caused.
“He’s been remorseful from the very start,” said Leon. “That has been his message and one of embarrassment.”
“The only reason things weren’t worse is because you were against a well-trained officer,” said Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath. “I cannot understate the seriousness of putting yourself in that position.”
For battery resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer, Judge McGrath gave Patrick a three-year sentence. Patrick also received a one-year sentence for resisting law enforcement and one year for driving while suspended prior. The one-year sentences were suspended on probation. All three counts will be served consecutively.
In total, Patrick received a five-year sentence, with three years executed and two years on probation. The executed sentence can be served at the Kosciusko County Jail or the Indiana Department of Correction. Judge McGrath said she had no objection to Patrick serving the executed part of his sentence through the county’s work release program.
Patrick’s sentence will be served consecutively to two other criminal cases.