Slain Indiana deputy’s widow to receive his service gun

KOKOMO, Ind. (AP) – County board members in Indiana have amended an ordinance allowing the widow of a deputy killed while on duty to keep his service weapon.

Howard County Sheriff Steve Rogers asked the Howard County Board of Commissioners on Monday to amend the 2010 ordinance letting a deputy keep his gun after retiring with 20 years of service. The Kokomo Tribune reports that the amendment that commissioners unanimously approved will allow the gun issued to a deputy killed in the line of duty to go their spouse.

It means the widow of late Howard County Deputy Carl Koontz will receive his gun. He was fatally wounded in a shootout March 20 in Russiaville.

Rogers said the amendment was meant to honor and commemorate Koontz.