Special prosecutor appointed for fatal police shooting investigation

The court has accepted the appointment of Richard Hertel as Special Prosecutor in the investigation into the fatal shooting of Eric Logan by a South Bend Police officer.

Hertel will be overseeing an independent investigation into the shooting.

He will also be responsible for the investigation and if necessary, prosecute cases arising from the investigation.

Hertel is currently the Ripley County Prosecutor.

South Bend FOP President Harvey Mills released the following statement regarding the appointment:

“The Fraternal Order of Police is confident that the special prosecutor appointed in this case will review the facts and conclude that Sgt. O’Neill was fully justified in using deadly force to defend himself when he was confronted by a convicted felon armed with an eight-inch hunting knife who advanced on Sgt. O’Neill and refused multiple commands to drop the knife.  Sgt. O’Neill retreated as far as he could and used deadly force just as he and every other police officer is trained to do in that situation."