Article by Emily Wang, White River Now
The Independence County Quorum Court met last week for its regular meeting. During the meeting, several deputies were recognized for their life-saving efforts, and the transfer of a private club permit was approved amid the Batesville VFW’s relocation.
Sheriff’s report highlights life-saving efforts
During the meeting, Sheriff Shawn Stephens delivered a special presentation featuring deputies who performed recent life-saving measures requiring the administration of Narcan or tourniquets.
Stephens said that since 2017, Narcan has been used 17 times in the county to reverse opioid overdoses, each instance requiring documentation with the state. He commended the deputies for their swift actions.
- Deputy Melissa Stephens and Becky Clark, a Department of Community Correction agent, were recognized for their roles in administering Narcan during an emergency response, successfully reversing an overdose.
- Deputy Zach Sphor received two awards—one for his actions in June during the county fair, where he responded to a call involving a gunshot wound and applied a tourniquet, saving the victim’s life, and another for his administration of Narcan to successfully reverse an overdose.
- School Resource Officer Brian Luetschwager was honored for his quick response at a school event on Sept. 30, 2023, where he reversed a student’s overdose using Narcan.
- Deputy Jared Smith received two awards for his service in successfully administering Narcan during two separate overdose incidents, reversing the effects.
- Deputy Max Rucker was recognized for his efforts at a severe two-vehicle accident, where he applied a tourniquet to stop the profuse bleeding of the victim, ultimately saving their life.
“We’re not doing it for recognition, but it is good,” Stephens said, “with the way the world is today, to recognize the good they are doing.” The sheriff noted that the Narcan kits were initially obtained through donations from local businesses and are replaced at no cost to the county.
Independence County reports decline in July offenses, jail population
The Independence County Jail reported housing 110 inmates in July and 175 offenses, down from the previous year.
Independence County Judge Kevin Jeffery noted that when the county’s juvenile detention center was sold for $2 million in 2021, the funds were earmarked for juvenile issues within the county. Jeffery discussed the opening of a certificate of deposit (CD), which is seeing an upward growth trend with a balance of over $1.9 million.
Federal audit review, ordinances
In new business, the county was described as being “in good shape” as the court unanimously approved the results of a federal audit.
The court also approved two ordinances: one to amend the senior citizens’ fund to appropriate supplemental funds from an insurance reimbursement and another to transfer a private club permit to the new location of the Harry B. Stokes Post No. 4501, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In October, the VFW plans to move from its current location on Chaney Drive to the former American Legion location at 100 Legion Lane. The move comes after the City of Batesville purchased the Chaney Drive location for the expansion and upgrade of Riverside Park.
The next quorum court meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9.
Image of Jess B. Carpenter Building by Gena Tate for White River Now
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