Man falls through ice, dies in Johnson County

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A man is dead after apparently falling through ice in rural Johnson County.

Sheriff Doug Cox said deputies were dispatched to the 5400 block of East 350 North in Needham around 9:30 Tuesday night, after the man’s wife called police saying her husband had gone to their new home that was under construction, and she couldn’t reach him.

She said she went to the home and couldn’t find him or the family dogs anywhere.

Police said a deputy spotted footsteps on the ice over a pond behind the new home and called in the Johnson County dive team.

The sheriff said those crews found 43-year-old Brian Persinger, of Greenwood, underwater.

The investigation is ongoing, but the sheriff said they believe Persinger may have walked out onto the ice to try to save his dogs. Dive crews did not find the dogs, and the sheriff said the rescue was called off because it was too dangerous.

Persinger was a husband, father and the owner of Persinger Roofing in Greenwood.

Mike Duncan was a client of Persinger’s and he works a few doors down from Persinger Roofing.

“I’m just still kind of in shock,” Duncan said. “He was a very honorable man. If he told you something, you could take it to the bank. That’s what I respected about him.”

Ducan said, for years, he’s told people to call Persinger if they need a new roof.

He can’t send clients to Persinger anymore, so he’s sending something else to the family.

“I’ll certainly say some prayers,” he said. “Prayer never goes away.”

The Persinger family is asking for privacy at this time.

According to the police report, they will attempt to find the dogs after the ice thaws in a couple days.

Sheriff Cox said their condolences go out to the family.