Nov. 12 has been a sad day for the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department since 2009. Today was yet another reminder in mortality for the department.

John Boren, a Winona Lake resident, passed away at about 1:30 p.m. today after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He touched the lives of many through his ministry at the Kosciusko County Jail.

Boren began his ministry after his own arrest in the early 1990s for conversion. After spending some time in the county jail and witnessing for himself the brokenness and the hopelessness that seemed to envelope him and others in his situation, the Lord placed a burden on his heart to minister to the people there.

Boren was the 2008 Man of the Year as named by the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce.

Boren is being remembered today by many of those who knew him best, including Captain Aaron Rovenstine who gave a special tribute to Boren on his Facebook page. Rovenstine wrote: “Matthew 25:36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. From all of us at the KCSD thank you J.B. for the light that shined in you.”

It was also three years ago today when KCSD lost another member of its family, Sgt. Jeff Shaw. Shaw was killed on Nov. 12, 2009, when his police cruiser was struck by a truck on SR 14 near Silver Lake.

The crash happened at approximately 2:40 p.m. when the driver of an eastbound truck began to veer off the roadway. He overcorrected, crossed the center line and struck Sgt. Shaw’s patrol car on the driver’s side. Both vehicles became engulfed in flames after the impact.

Sergeant Shaw was extricated by rescue personnel but was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver sustained minor injuries.

Sgt. Shaw had served with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department for over 15 years.

Funeral arrangements for Boren have now been finalized and can be seen on our Obituaries page.