As StaceyPageOnline.com was the first to report Tuesday night, Pierceton Police Officer Jim Bumbaugh was injured in the line of duty while initiating a traffic stop yesterday evening. This morning, complete details have been released.

According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, officer Bumbaugh initiated the traffic stop on SR 13 near Elm Street in Pierceton after observing the driver, suspected of being intoxicated. It happened around 6:09 p.m.

Officer Bumbaugh approached an open door of the vehicle when the driver, later identified as Ricky Joe Owens, 50, Warsaw, started the car and began to drive away. Officer Bumbaugh attempted to restrain Owens but was dragged onto the pavement as the vehicle accelerated.  A passenger inside the vehicle also jumped from the fleeing white Chevy Camaro as Owens headed south out of Pierceton.

Emergency traffic was silenced while the incident was unfolding and officials were tight-lipped as they searched for the suspects.

Area law enforcement officers later converged at 10305 S. County Farm Rd., Warsaw, where the driver’s white Chevy Camaro was located. Police today say the residence belongs to Owens father, who gave them permission to search his property.

Owens was found hiding beneath several garage bags in the garage of the home. He refused to surrender and was eventually Tazered. Owens was still combative and was bitten by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputy canine unit. Owens was then taken into custody and transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital for treatment of his bite wound.

He was eventually transported to the Kosciusko County Jail and preliminarily charged by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office with felony criminal recklessness, resisting and fleeing law enforcement and battery on a law enforcement officer.

Officer Bumbaugh received lacerations and “road-rash” abrasions to his hands, arms and knees after striking the pavement while being dragged.  He was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital for his wounds but was treated and released last night.

The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Pierceton Police Department are currently investigating the incident.  Also assisting in the investigation were members of the Silver Lake, Claypool, and Winona Lake police departments.