UPDATE: Deputy Jon Samuelson in critical but stable condition following hospital shooting

UPDATE (2:11 P.M.): The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office has released an update on the condition of Deputy Samuelson, stating:

"On behalf of the Samuelson family, La Porte County Sheriff Ronald C. Heeg announces the following update regarding Deputy Jon Samuelson.
Following yesterday’s senseless incident at Franciscan Health Hospital – Michigan City Campus, Deputy Samuelson was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for advanced medical treatment.
A team of surgeons and medical staff prepared Deputy Samuelson for surgery. He underwent approximately eight hours of surgery, which surgeons later described as successful. Medical staff remain optimistic regarding his recovery.
Deputy Samuelson remains in critical but stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit at Memorial Hospital.
“Thank you to the surgeons and the entire medical staff at Memorial Hospital for the exceptional care being provided to Deputy Samuelson,” stated Sheriff Heeg. “Please continue to pray for Jon, his family and friends, and the entire law enforcement community.”
Deputy Samuelson is a 12-year veteran of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office. He currently serves as a member of the agency’s Highway Interdiction Unit, is the handler for K-9 Bosco, and is designated as a US Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Officer out of the Merrillville District Office.
In the days and weeks ahead, further information will be released when appropriate to do so."

We will continue to keep you updated both on air and online as we learn more.

ORIGINAL:

ABC57 News is working to learn more about his condition from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. As of right now, we know he was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend where he is in critical condition.

Deputy Samuelson is receiving an outpouring of support, love, kind words and prayers on social media. However, he received the same support, if not more, in person at the hospital in South Bend. Local police including officers from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office and Michigan City Police were line up in front of the hospital all day and weren't seen leaving the building much, sticking by his side. Some were seen embracing each other, hugging tightly as they got out of their cars.

33-year-old Jon Samuelson is a 12-year veteran with the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. He comes from a law enforcement family, his father and his grandfather were both police men. His grandfather was the Chief of Police for the City of La Porte. His father is a retired policeman for Michigan City and currently works at the hospital where Deputy Samuelson was shot. He was at the hospital when his son was shot.

Deputy Samuelson is a second generation K9 handler and works side by side with his dual-purpose partner, Bosco. The two are heavily decorated in national K9 competitions, specifically in residential narcotics detection and obedience.

This afternoon we received a statement from LaPorte County Sheriff Ronald C. Heeg:

"LaPorte County friends and neighbors, we are asking for our community to rise up, rally together, and life Deputy Jon Samuelson and his family in prayer and support during this incredibly challenging time.

Now more than ever, we need our residents across the County to stand together in strength, faith, and support for one of our own. Deputy Samuelson has dedicated his life to serving and protecting this County, and we ask everyone now to stand beside him and his loved ones with prayer and solidarity.

Please keep Jon, his family, and the entire LCSO law enforcement community in your thoughts and prayers."

A neighbor of the Samuelson's also shared this statement with ABC57:

"Deputy Samuelson is one of the sweetest, kind law enforcement officers I've ever met. I pray for him and his family during this unfortunate incident."

Another man who knows Deputy Samuelson's father shared Deputy Samuelson's family "contributed decades of public service in the County."

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