UPDATE: The Turkey Creek Fire Territory confirmed Matthew Glen Maher is one of its employees and was formally charged with several offenses following an off-duty incident on Jan. 21.

Fire officials say Maher was placed on administrative leave effective immediately and will remain on leave pending the outcome of an internal administrative review and related legal proceedings.

Said incident occurred while Maher was off-duty and was unrelated to his official duties with Turkey Creek Fire Territory.

The department's statement reads in part:

"Turkey Creek Fire Territory takes these matters seriously and is committed to upholding professional standards while respecting the rights of all parties involved. While we cannot comment further on the legal or administrative process, the matter will be handled in accordance with established policies and applicable law.

Our focus remains on serving the community with integrity, accountability, and professionalism."

ORIGINAL STORY: KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. -- At approximately 6:10 p.m. on Jan. 21, the Indiana Conservation Office received information that someone had chased a deer into a field on C.R. 300 South.

Conservation Officer Vandermolen responded to the scene and located an off-road vehicle (ORV) stationary without lights on. Officer Vandermolen observed the ORV lights turn on and drive south out of the field.

Officer Vandermolen attempted multiple times to stop the ORV, which was identified as a green and black side by side. The vehicle crossed in front of Officer Vandermolen's emergency lights, at which point the officer could identify the operator as Matthew Glen Maher who he had previous contact with.

Maher had refused to stop, Officer Vandermolen contacted Kosciusko County dispatch and informed them Maher was headed to his residence.

At approximately 6:30 p.m., Chief Deputy Marshal K. Williams responded to assist Officer Vandermolen where Vandermolen and Williams observed Maher disregard a stop sign at C.R. 900 South and C.R. 100 East and pull into his driveway shortly after.

After attempting to stop Maher, Maher shut the front door on Deputy Marshal Williams which struck his knee; Maher continued refusing to comply and exited his home 27 minutes later.

Deputy Marshal Williams handcuffed Maher and Officer Vandermolen responded back to the original scene and followed the ORV tracks to a fresh gut pile from a white-tail deer.

Officer Vandermolen spoke with the owner of the property where the white-tail deer remains were found who indicated he did not give Maher permission to hunt on his land and did not know him; it is illegal to take white-tail deer from a landowner's property without consent.

A search warrant for Maher's green and black side by side where officers located a rifle missing 4 rounds, a bloody Havalon knife, and several empty and full Miller Lite beer cans.

Matthew Glen Maher is charged with:

• Battery with Bodily Injury to a Public Safety Officer (F5)
• Resisting Law Enforcement using vehicle (F6)
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Mis.)
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Mis.)
• Illegal Taking of a Wild Animal (Mis.)
• Use of Private Land without Consent knowing or intentional violation (Mis.)