Fallen Indiana Police Officer's Wife Was Dispatching During Fatal Shooting
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. --
The wife of a Terre Haute police officer killed in the line of duty Monday was one of those dispatching emergency crews to the scene of the fatal shooting.
State police confirmed Tuesday night that Danielle Long, the widow of Officer Brent Long and a Vigo County dispatcher, was sending crews for Terre Haute police the afternoon her husband was shot while serving a warrant.
Long and a team of U.S. marshals and ISP had gone to a home at 1812 N. 8th St. to serve an arrest warrant on Shaun Seeley, 33, of Terre Haute, who has a lengthy criminal background and had been released from prison in February 2010 on a cocaine charge.
Police said Seeley opened fire on Long within seconds of the officer entering the home, striking him twice in the head. He later died at an area hospital.
Police said they are not sure if a shot fired from Long's gun struck Seeley, who also died in the exchange of gunfire. He was struck several times in the torso and once in the head.
On Tuesday night, fellow officers, city leaders and community members lined the streets of Terre Haute as Long's body was taken to an area funeral home.
Officials said Long, a six-year veteran of the department, is survived by his wife, their 11-year-old daughter and 10-month-old son.
"Officer Long was the kind of policeman every policeman wants to be, but few us are," said Terre Haute police Lt. Jeffrey Milner.
"He'll be missed terribly," said Seelyville Town Marshall Jason Parker. "There will never be another like him."
Financial donations to Long's family can be made any First Financial Bank location.
Long's K-9, Shadow, was also wounded and was taken to a veterinary hospital in critical condition. He will have surgery to remove a bullet in his head. If he is unable to return to the force, he will be given to the family as a pet, police said.
Those wishing to support Shadow may mail or make donations to the Terre Haute Police Department K-9 program, which will then be donated to the Vohne Liche Kennels in Long's memory.
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