SOUTHERN INDIANA (WHAS11)-- — The Charlestown Police Department is dealing with the loss of an officer after a police pursuit ended in Scott County, Ind. and claimed the life of Officer Benton Bertram, 33.
Indiana State Police said the pursuit began in the Clark County on Dec. 12 around 10:20 p.m.
ISP's preliminary investigation reveals that the pursuit began near Charlestown, Ind. when Officer Bertram attempted to stop a teal colored 1998 Toyota Corolla for a traffic violation. The suspect vehicle fled north on State Road #3 and continued into Scott County.
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The pursuit continued north on State Road 3 and approached the east intersection of State Road 3 and State Road 56, east of Scottsburg. At that time, Officer Bertram’s vehicle crossed over State Road 56 and left the roadway, hitting a tree in the front yard of a nearby residence. Other responding units remained at the scene of the crash and rendered aid to Officer Bertram.
Officer Bertram was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by the Scott County Coroner's Office. Bertram was a K-9 officer and his police-issued K-9 was in the vehicle with him at the time the crash, he is expected to be OK.
The suspect vehicle and the driver, Benjamin Eads, 35, from 3711 Lanes Road, Freedom, Ind., were later located and apprehended in Clark County.
The crash and pursuit are still under investigation. Indiana State Police crash reconstructionist and detectives remained on scene until early morning hours. State Road 56 was closed until 4:30 a.m.
Benjamin Eads was preliminarily charged with the following: In Scott County, Resisting Law Enforcement Causing Death – Level 2 Felony. In Clark County, Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 6 Felony and Auto Theft – Level 6 Felony.
Eads was transported and is in custody at the Scott County Jail.
Bertram was a nine-year veteran of the Charlestown Police Department.
The Indiana State Police were assisted by units from the Charlestown City Police Department, the Jeffersonville City Police Department, the Clark County Sherriff's Department, the Scott County Sheriff's Department, Scott County EMS, The Scottsburg City Fire Department, the Johnson Township Volunteer Fire Department, and the Scott County Coroner's Office.
Charlestown's Mayor Bob Hall made the following statement on Facebook:
Hall said the police department has not had a line of duty death in quite a long time.
The Charlestown community is mourning the loss of the officer.
One man left flowers just outside the police department on Thursday morning. He told WHAS11's Shay McAlister Bertram had helped turned his son's life around.
Chief of Police Keith McDonald said he is thankful for the support from the Charlestown community and police agencies who have reached out to them, near and far, since the Bertram's deadly crash.
Below you can see the Louisville Metro Police Department is sad to hear of the news across the river:
Bertram began his career at the Charlestown Police Department in 2008, as a reserve officer. He was hired as an officer two years later.