INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Shelby County sheriff will step down at the end of February, and the local Republican Party will hold a caucus to choose his replacement.

Sheriff Louie Koch (R) told county councilors during their Feb. 17 meeting that his last day on the job will be Saturday, Feb. 28.

Koch was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. His current term was set to expire at the end of 2026. Sheriffs in Indiana are term-limited and cannot serve more than two consecutive four-year terms.

The sheriff did not provide an exact reason for his departure, but at the end of January, he filed to run as a Republican candidate for Shelby County Council District 1.

In a Facebook post, the Shelby County Republican Party announced it would hold a caucus on Thursday, March 5, to “fill a vacancy in the position of Shelby County Sheriff.” The new sheriff selected on March 5 will serve out the remainder of Koch’s term and can run for a full four-year term.

Anyone interested in the role must meet candidacy criteria and file a CEB-5 with Republican Party Chair Chris King at least 72 hours before the caucus. Questions can be directed to Cking@shelbycounty.gop.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. (WDRB) — An 11-year-old girl’s parents are suing a southern Indiana school district, alleging severe bullying and sexual abuse at school pushed their daughter to take her own life.

Fifth grader Brooklyn Cook’s parents said administrators at the Jennings County School Corporation knew what was happening and failed to stop it.

Cook was often found at the Jennings County Animal Shelter, saving up her hard-earned money to feed stray cats. After the 11-year-old died by suicide last February, a memorial now stands outside the shelter with her name on it.

“A beautiful little girl and a family that just loved her tremendously,” said Gregory Laker, who is representing the family in their wrongful death lawsuit against the school district and several staff members.

According to the lawsuit, the problem started when Cook was in fourth grade at North Vernon Elementary School, where two male students bullied her. After it was reported to administrators, the boys were removed from her class.

The lawsuit claims those same students were placed back in her classroom during fifth grade after a change in principals.

Several of Cook’s friends told a guidance counselor the boys told her to kill herself, showing them messages one of the students sent to her.

“Her friends felt like they were being disciplined every time they came forward and reported the bullying on Brooklyn’s behalf,” Laker said.

Months before her death, Cook posted a TikTok in which she said she did not want to be sexually assaulted at school anymore. An assistant teacher reported the video to administrators.

The lawsuit claims that despite the video and the reports from her friends, the boys were never removed from her classroom or disciplined, even as the bullying continued almost daily during her fifth grade year. 

Cook then lost her life to suicide Feb. 17, 2025.

“The hardest thing in the world is burying your own child,” said Laker. “They had to do that with their 11-year-old daughter. Her brother lost, by all reports, his best friend in Brooklyn.”

In a statement, JCSC Superintendent Nicole Johnson said “Jennings County School Corporation is aware of the lawsuit. We strongly deny the allegations and will have no further comment on this pending legal matter at this time.”

The family contends the district’s response was insufficient and contributed to their daughter’s death.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and thoughts of self harm, the 988 crisis and suicide lifeline is available 24/7. 

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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Beech Grove Police Chief Michael Maurice fought back tears as he remembered the life and service of Officer Brian Elliott during a celebration of life on Monday at Beech Grove High School.

Elliott, 33, was fatally shot while responding to a domestic disturbance at a Beech Grove apartment complex on Monday, Feb. 16.

He was “the best of the best, and that’s why he was a Beech Grove police officer,” Maurice told the crowd of mourners gathered at Beech Grove High School.

“Brian came to us after serving six years with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. When we hired Brian, he already possessed the characteristics we expect officers to display–he was going to fit right in because he was the very best.”

Maurice praised Elliott and his partner, who was wounded during the shooting that took Elliott’s life. “They were everything we want and expect our officers to be — fearless, compassionate, eager, community-oriented, selfless with others, able to act valiantly in high-stress situations.”

In closing, Maurice said, “Officer Brian Elliott, it was an honor to serve alongside you. We will continue to carry on your sacrifice from here.”

At the conclusion of Monday’s funeral services, a procession will take Elliott to Crown Hill Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest.