Town Marshal Hobbs Honored By Legion, Sheriff's Department
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Milford Town Marshal David Hobbs was honored by American Legion Post 49, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and the U.S. Marine Corps Thursday in the old courtroom at the Kosciusko County courthouse.
Hobbs faced two suspected bank robbers, Criss Duncan, 43, of Shipshewana, and Ralph Berkey Jr., 34, Elkhart, who were armed with M-16 rifles on May 27.
The men entered the Leesburg branch of the National City Bank at about 10:30 a.m. that day, making off with about $44,000.
The men were apprehended June 1 and remain in federal custody.
The day of the theft, Hobbs approached a red pickup to ask the driver if he had seen the reported getaway vehicle, a red van. The alleged robbers had switched from the van to the pickup.
Hobbs saw the camouflage-wearing passenger squatting on the floor of the pickup. His rifle pointed at Hobbs.
The lawman and the suspects exchanged fire, with Hobbs shooting out the driver's side and front windows of the truck.
Hobbs' patrol car was damaged by bullets.
Earlier this month Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine said Hobbs was one of the keys to solving the robbery because he was able to provide information about the change of vehicle and detailed descriptions of the suspects.
Hobbs, a former U.S. Marine, has been the Milford town marshal for 25 years. A Vietnam veteran, he fought there from 1965 to 1966 with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines and from 1967 to 1968 with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines.
A civilian for 10 years, he became a police officer in 1978, hired by Milford as the town marshal.
"They didn't have to do this," he said after the ceremony.
Hobbs is a member of the John C. Peterson American Legion Post 49. The group presented him with a plaque and a certificate of meritorious service, commemorating his actions on May 27.
Legionnaire Bob Morrison conducted the ceremony.
USMC Staff Sgt. Bernard Reuille, of the local Armed Forces Recruiting Office, read the text of the plaque and certificate. Legion commander David Beall presented the awards on behalf of the Post.
The sheriff's department recognized Hobbs' actions with a medal for outstanding valor, given by Rovenstine. The current sheriff was a 6-1/2 year member of Hobbs' police force.
The event was attended by more than 100 citizens, including family and friends, elected officials, Legion members, sheriff's deputies and police officers, emergency medical service staff and National City Bank employees, who were present the day of the robbery.
Following prayer by Maj. David Biggs of the Salvation Army, the Kosciusko County honor guard presented colors. Honor guard members are Chad Hill and Jon Hoppus of the sheriff's department, David Morales of the Warsaw Police Department and Mike Wilson of the Warsaw Fire Department.
Patriotic songs were provided by the Peabody Entertainers, North Manchester, a choir of Peabody Retirement Center residents. [[In-content Ad]]
Milford Town Marshal David Hobbs was honored by American Legion Post 49, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and the U.S. Marine Corps Thursday in the old courtroom at the Kosciusko County courthouse.
Hobbs faced two suspected bank robbers, Criss Duncan, 43, of Shipshewana, and Ralph Berkey Jr., 34, Elkhart, who were armed with M-16 rifles on May 27.
The men entered the Leesburg branch of the National City Bank at about 10:30 a.m. that day, making off with about $44,000.
The men were apprehended June 1 and remain in federal custody.
The day of the theft, Hobbs approached a red pickup to ask the driver if he had seen the reported getaway vehicle, a red van. The alleged robbers had switched from the van to the pickup.
Hobbs saw the camouflage-wearing passenger squatting on the floor of the pickup. His rifle pointed at Hobbs.
The lawman and the suspects exchanged fire, with Hobbs shooting out the driver's side and front windows of the truck.
Hobbs' patrol car was damaged by bullets.
Earlier this month Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine said Hobbs was one of the keys to solving the robbery because he was able to provide information about the change of vehicle and detailed descriptions of the suspects.
Hobbs, a former U.S. Marine, has been the Milford town marshal for 25 years. A Vietnam veteran, he fought there from 1965 to 1966 with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines and from 1967 to 1968 with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines.
A civilian for 10 years, he became a police officer in 1978, hired by Milford as the town marshal.
"They didn't have to do this," he said after the ceremony.
Hobbs is a member of the John C. Peterson American Legion Post 49. The group presented him with a plaque and a certificate of meritorious service, commemorating his actions on May 27.
Legionnaire Bob Morrison conducted the ceremony.
USMC Staff Sgt. Bernard Reuille, of the local Armed Forces Recruiting Office, read the text of the plaque and certificate. Legion commander David Beall presented the awards on behalf of the Post.
The sheriff's department recognized Hobbs' actions with a medal for outstanding valor, given by Rovenstine. The current sheriff was a 6-1/2 year member of Hobbs' police force.
The event was attended by more than 100 citizens, including family and friends, elected officials, Legion members, sheriff's deputies and police officers, emergency medical service staff and National City Bank employees, who were present the day of the robbery.
Following prayer by Maj. David Biggs of the Salvation Army, the Kosciusko County honor guard presented colors. Honor guard members are Chad Hill and Jon Hoppus of the sheriff's department, David Morales of the Warsaw Police Department and Mike Wilson of the Warsaw Fire Department.
Patriotic songs were provided by the Peabody Entertainers, North Manchester, a choir of Peabody Retirement Center residents. [[In-content Ad]]