LA PORTE, Ind. -- The La Porte County Sheriff's Office has released a statement, following the La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan's decision to offer 22-year-old Sharod Grafton a plea deal, in the shooting of Deputy Jon Samuelson.

The plea deal includes the removal of weapons enhancement charges, which would have added a potential 15 to 20 years to Grafton's sentence.

This decision, made despite Deputy Samuelson's desire to go to trial, according to his wife, Quinn.

The Sheriff's Office, releasing the following statement:

"The men and women of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office stand firmly behind Deputy Jon Samuelson and his wife, Quinn, following the recent information regarding a potential plea agreement being offered in the criminal case from the May 22 shooting that left Jon critically injured in the line of duty.

Since the very beginning, Sheriff Ronald C. Heeg has made it very clear that his commitment is first and foremost to Jon and Quinn. He has repeatedly stated that he will support the wishes and decisions of Jon and Quinn for what they believe is right while they navigate this unimaginable journey.

The decision to offer a plea in a criminal case of this nature by a singular person is unfathomable, all while going against the wishes of the victim - Jon. This is not simply a criminal case to Jon, Quinn, or the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office. It is a deeply personal and life-changing event that has affected Jon, his family, his fellow deputies, and the citizens of La Porte County and beyond.

The agency’s support of Jon and Quinn, along with their desired wishes, is unwavering. And because of that, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is publicly asking that any plea agreement being offered is removed from the criminal case."

The wife of Deputy Samuelson, Quinn Samuelson, also shares a public statement, writing:

"To Whom It May Concern:

It is with a heavy heart that I share the most recent update on the trial with Grafton.

In early August, we were contacted by the Prosecutor's Office to discuss Jon's options, which included going to trial or offering a plea deal. Jon felt in his heart that going to trial is what he needs and how he wanted to move forward. Yesterday, September 10th, 2026, Jon and I received an update from the La Porte County Prosecutors Office that Sharod Grafton was offered a plea deal by Sean Fagan. This plea deal included the removal of weapons enhancement charges. These additional charges would have potentially added 15-20 years to Grafton's sentence.

The common theme of the conversation I had yesterday with Fagan consisted of him repeatedly stating "he understands", but that couldn't be further from the truth. Fagan didn't have to make that call to Jon's loved ones. Fagan didn't see the love of his life covered in blood waiting to go into the operating room. Fagan didn't wait for 8+ hours in the waiting room at Memorial Hospital waiting to hear a sliver of positive news. Fagan didn't sit and listen to Jon's coworkers in tears wishing they could have done something different. Fagan has not witnessed Jon struggling to get in and out of his wheelchair. Fagan has not heard Jon begging God for his legs to fully come back online each and every day. Fagan has not had his life turned upside down. So no, he does not "understand".

As the wife of Jon and as a resident of La Porte County, I am beyond disgusted with the actions of Sean Fagan and we do not support this decision. The man that I have loved since I was 17 years old was shot three times. Grafton then stood over Jon to shoot him a fourth time in the head and his gun jammed. A violent criminal like this does not deserve the mercy of a plea deal, especially when it is done behind the victim's back and by a prosecutor whose platform was pro law enforcement.

If you're asking what you can do to help, please contact the La Porte County Prosecutor's Office and request to speak directly with Sean Fagan to share your thoughts.

Respectfully,

Quinn Samuelson"