ISP Recognizes 2 Winona Lake Officers
February 17, 2021 at 2:28 a.m.
ISP Recognizes 2 Winona Lake Officers
By Amanda Bridgman-
On Nov. 15, 2019, around 5:50 p.m., an 11-year-old boy fell through thin ice on a retention pond in the area of CR 325E and Wooster Road.
The child was about 25 yards out in the water and had fallen through. Off-duty ISP trooper Jacob Bill went to the scene to help assist WLPD officer Dave Swain and Sgt. Joe Bumbaugh.
Bill ran into the water and swam out to the child. Bill was able to grab the child by the collar and attempted to get him to shore, but as he got closer, he got caught up in the broken ice.
That’s when Swain entered the water to help Bill and the child, while Bumbaugh helped anchor Swain from the shore and helped get all three out of the freezing water.
The boy was taken to Bumbaugh’s truck to warm up and was then taken to a local hospital and later released.
At the Winona Lake Town Council meeting Tuesday, ISP Sgt. Chad James said he was presenting the Lifesaving Award on behalf of ISP Superintendent Doug Carter.
“Superintendent Doug Carter felt their achievements were worthy of recognition,” James said. “Officer Swain and Sgt. Bumbaugh are to be commended for their extraordinary conduct for saving the life of another human being.”
All three men were recognized by Winona Lake Town Marshal Joe Hawn in December 2019 for their lifesaving rescue with a Lifesaving Award they can pin on their uniform.
Also Tuesday, two new reserve officers for WLPD were sworn in.
Brandon Prater and Keaton Schopf join the WLPD as reserves.
The Council also heard compliments from Bumbaugh and Swain to the street department for their efforts in clearing the snow and keeping the roads open.
Bumbaugh and Swain said not only were the main roads kept clear, but also the secondary roads. The Council unanimously agreed the streets were looking good following the recent snowfall.
Resident Jerry Nelson also stepped up to the microphone Tuesday to compliment the street department for clearing his street.
“Thank you. We take our responsibility very seriously,” Street Superintendent Tom Miller said. “Craig and I have worked very well together over the last several years and been able to reorganize and provide the community with enough salt so that we can continue to provide good service.”
Miller also commended his crew and said most people don’t realize how stressful it is to be out plowing in the dark.
“These guys, they’re very committed to the community, and I stand behind that and we’ll continue to work that way,” Miller said.
Allebach also complimented the work being done keeping the greenway clean.
Also Tuesday, the Council:
• Heard from Winona Lake Fire Department Chief Kevin Gelbaugh the department’s newest engine, the 2011 HME, has been in the shop.
“There’s something seriously wrong with the front end, and they’ve sent it to another shop,” Gelbaugh said. “I’ve been told we’re in the area of $5,000 into it now and they’re still unable to figure out what the problem is. I should know more (today) and will let you know.”
“The older the equipment gets, the more it costs to get it repaired,” Council President Rick Swaim said.
• Heard about Winona happenings that include the annual “Wine About The Winter” event from 2 to 6 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Village at Winona.
Also, at 9 a.m. March 14, a 5K run/walk and a 10k run are scheduled to take off from Green Earth in the Village. It’s been dubbed the “Four Leaf Clover.”
• Reminded citizens that the public input meeting for the parks and recreation department’s five-year master plan is 6 p.m. March 9 at the Senior Center.
Parks and Recreation Director Holly Hummitch said she has received back the responses to the surveys sent out and will have those available at the meeting and welcome public input on finalizing the five-year master plan for the parks.
The next Winona Lake Town Council meeting is 6 p.m. March 16 at Town Hall.
On Nov. 15, 2019, around 5:50 p.m., an 11-year-old boy fell through thin ice on a retention pond in the area of CR 325E and Wooster Road.
The child was about 25 yards out in the water and had fallen through. Off-duty ISP trooper Jacob Bill went to the scene to help assist WLPD officer Dave Swain and Sgt. Joe Bumbaugh.
Bill ran into the water and swam out to the child. Bill was able to grab the child by the collar and attempted to get him to shore, but as he got closer, he got caught up in the broken ice.
That’s when Swain entered the water to help Bill and the child, while Bumbaugh helped anchor Swain from the shore and helped get all three out of the freezing water.
The boy was taken to Bumbaugh’s truck to warm up and was then taken to a local hospital and later released.
At the Winona Lake Town Council meeting Tuesday, ISP Sgt. Chad James said he was presenting the Lifesaving Award on behalf of ISP Superintendent Doug Carter.
“Superintendent Doug Carter felt their achievements were worthy of recognition,” James said. “Officer Swain and Sgt. Bumbaugh are to be commended for their extraordinary conduct for saving the life of another human being.”
All three men were recognized by Winona Lake Town Marshal Joe Hawn in December 2019 for their lifesaving rescue with a Lifesaving Award they can pin on their uniform.
Also Tuesday, two new reserve officers for WLPD were sworn in.
Brandon Prater and Keaton Schopf join the WLPD as reserves.
The Council also heard compliments from Bumbaugh and Swain to the street department for their efforts in clearing the snow and keeping the roads open.
Bumbaugh and Swain said not only were the main roads kept clear, but also the secondary roads. The Council unanimously agreed the streets were looking good following the recent snowfall.
Resident Jerry Nelson also stepped up to the microphone Tuesday to compliment the street department for clearing his street.
“Thank you. We take our responsibility very seriously,” Street Superintendent Tom Miller said. “Craig and I have worked very well together over the last several years and been able to reorganize and provide the community with enough salt so that we can continue to provide good service.”
Miller also commended his crew and said most people don’t realize how stressful it is to be out plowing in the dark.
“These guys, they’re very committed to the community, and I stand behind that and we’ll continue to work that way,” Miller said.
Allebach also complimented the work being done keeping the greenway clean.
Also Tuesday, the Council:
• Heard from Winona Lake Fire Department Chief Kevin Gelbaugh the department’s newest engine, the 2011 HME, has been in the shop.
“There’s something seriously wrong with the front end, and they’ve sent it to another shop,” Gelbaugh said. “I’ve been told we’re in the area of $5,000 into it now and they’re still unable to figure out what the problem is. I should know more (today) and will let you know.”
“The older the equipment gets, the more it costs to get it repaired,” Council President Rick Swaim said.
• Heard about Winona happenings that include the annual “Wine About The Winter” event from 2 to 6 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Village at Winona.
Also, at 9 a.m. March 14, a 5K run/walk and a 10k run are scheduled to take off from Green Earth in the Village. It’s been dubbed the “Four Leaf Clover.”
• Reminded citizens that the public input meeting for the parks and recreation department’s five-year master plan is 6 p.m. March 9 at the Senior Center.
Parks and Recreation Director Holly Hummitch said she has received back the responses to the surveys sent out and will have those available at the meeting and welcome public input on finalizing the five-year master plan for the parks.
The next Winona Lake Town Council meeting is 6 p.m. March 16 at Town Hall.
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