From the Files of the Kosciusko County Historical Society

Editor’s note: This is a retrospective article that runs a few times a month on InkFreeNews.    

Information for this retrospective series is courtesy of the Kosciusko County Historical Society. For more history of Kosciusko County in the news visit yesteryear.clunette.com

Oct. 2, 1978 — A North Webster policeman has become the apparent target of a sniper after three shots were fired at or near 24-year-old Michael D. Wood in a series of incidents beginning early Sunday.

Officers believe the incidents could be related to recent drug arrests in the town and a threatening letter Deputy Marshal Wood received about a week ago.

The final shot rang out about 9:30 p.m. while Wood was on foot near the North Webster sewage disposal plant in the northeast section of the town. Wood told officers he dropped to the ground in tall grass and he heard a second shot fired 15 seconds later.

It was the third time a sniper had shot at the deputy marshal within 24 hours and he was unscathed by bullets.

Oct. 3, 1978 — Sniper fire was aimed at North Webster Deputy Marshal Michael D. Wood last night –the fourth blast in a series of shootings since early Sunday.

A single shotgun was fired at the Wood residence, Rt. 1, North Webster.

Oct. 13, 1978 — North Webster and Kosciusko County police have concluded that three alleged shooting incidents directed at a North Webster policeman earlier this month are “a hoax.”

Authorities now allege that three of the four shooting reports in the North Webster and Backwater areas were falsified by North Webster Deputy Marshal Michael D. Wood.

Deputy Marshal Wood, 24, North Webster, was suspended from the North Webster police force for “conduct unbecoming an officer” this week. North Webster Marshal Charles Parker announced that Wood has been relieved of his duties effective immediately.

— Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels