CHPD News

In The Line of Duty Death of Sgt. Ben Bertram

POLICE K9 SGT. BEN BERTRAM and recently retired K9 Partner KUBO. POLICE K9 SGT. BENTON HURLEY “BEN” BERTRAM, 33 YEARS OF AGE, A NINE YEAR VETERAN OFFICER OF THE CHARLESTOWN CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FORMER CLARK COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT CORRECTIONS OFFICER; DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON DECEMBER 12TH, 2018, WHILE IN PURSUIT OF A FLEEING FELON. SGT. BERTRAM IS SURVIVED BY HIS K9 PARTNERS K9 KUBO AND K9 FRANCO, HIS PARENTS LUKE AND DIANE BERTRAM, SISTER LINDSEY WOLFF, NIECE LILLY WOLFF, BROTHER-IN-LAW MAJOR TIMOTHY WOLFF, ASSISTANT CHIEF OF THE CHARLESTOWN CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND AMANDA ABBOTT. VISITATION WILL BE HELD MONDAY, DECEMBER 17TH, 2018 FROM 1400 TO 1900 HOURS, IN THE CHARLESTOWN HIGH SCHOOL ARENA, #1 PIRATE PLACE, CHARLESTOWN, IN. LIFE CELEBRATION SERVICES, INCLUDING HONORS, WILL BE HELD TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18TH, 2018, 1100 HOURS, IN THE CHARLESTOWN HIGH SCHOOL ARENA. GRAVE SIDE CEREMONIES AND ESCORT / PROCESSIONAL DETAIL…


CHPD, NCOC & Jay C Team Up for 1st Annual “Fill the Fleet” Campaign

The North Clark Outreach Center or NCOC (located in Charlestown), is a non-profit food bank who proudly serves numerous needy families in northern Clark County. This year, NCOC is teaming up with the Charlestown Police Department and the Charlestown Jay C Store in their first annual “Fill the Fleet” food donation charity event that will be held at the Charlestown Jay C Food Store (located at 9501 County Road 403) on Saturday & Sunday, December 1st. & 2nd. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both NCOC & CHPD Officers have a goal to fill up one of their patrol cars on-site with as many non-perishable food donations as possible before delivering them to the Charlestown NCOC in order to serve our communities most needy families at the holidays. If you would like to donate to this wonderful cause you can leave a non-perishable food donation with the staff at the…


Cold Weather Auto Theft Alert

The cold temperatures have settled in to our area; and already some have fallen victim to thieves targeting running cars left unattended.  Yes, even while parked in the driveway of your home and in front of the front door. “Each year dozens of vehicles are stolen in Clark County, some of those in Charlestown, when the weather turns cold and the opportunity of a unlocked vehicle running is exactly how thieves get what they’re looking for”, reminds Chief Keith McDonald, of the Charlestown Police Department. “The vast majority of these car thieves don’t have to smash windows, or anything difficult….just walk up to a car, open the car door, hop in, and drive away,” Chief McDonald explained. In an effort to reduce the number of these types of vehicle thefts, officers will drive around targeted areas to look not only for potential thieves, but victims as well.  Part of the…


CHPD Makes Donation to Clark Special Olympics

On Friday, September 28th the Clark County Special Olympics was presented a check for $3000 from Police Officer fundraising activities! From October of 2017 to March of 2018 Officers donated a portion of each of their pay checks to Special Olympics. An account was set up at New Washington State Bank for the public to drop off donations as well. We appreciate each Officer and each member of the public who made a donation! Pictured left to right; Officer Brandon Lyons, Lt. Brion Gilbert, Asst. Chief Tim Wolff, Chief Keith McDonald, Special Olympics County Coordinator Steven Binggeli, Nathan Snyder, Steven Binggeli & Linda Snyder. Officers who donated but aren’t pictured; Officer Jonathan Roederer, Officer Albert Purcell, Officer Tyler Lyons, Officer Eric Kruse, Officer Cameron Dickerson, SRO Adam Clark, K9 Ben Bertram, Officer Thomas Bamforth & Officer Jeff Fields.


Indiana AG Encourages Consumer eComplaints

Representatives of Indiana’s State Attorney General’s Office recently visited Clark County, and through the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office; is encouraging Indiana citizens to use their improved electronic complaint system for various consumer concerns.  The electronic complaint system enables citizens to file a complaint securely over the internet for various concerns such as: Medicaid Fraud Patient Abuse & Neglect Consumer Issues Do Not Call/Text and Scams Do Not Fax Violations Gas Gouging Issues Identity Theft Issues Mortgage Fraud Issues Properly and effectively investigating the above types of issues is very complicated for local law enforcement agencies; largely due to fact that these suspects and perpetrators operate on a worldwide venue.  The commitment that Indiana’s Attorney General has voiced; especially in the areas listed above, is promising and essential for deploying the necessary resources to enforce Indiana laws protecting Hoosiers. Phone Scams, Do Not Call Violations, Medicaid (Welfare) Fraud, and Identity Theft…