Ind. Deputy Dies from Serious Injuries 21 Years after Crash

An Indiana reserve deputy died earlier this summer, nearly 21 years to the day after suffering serious injuries while responding to a call. 

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Reserve Deputy John C. Stahl III had suffered a traumatic brain injury from the crash, according to his obituary. He died at his Madison home June 8 at the age of 67.

Stahl was responding to a suspicious vehicle call on June 7, 2004, when he was involved in a single-vehicle crash, according to the Indiana Law Enforcement Memorial site. His cruiser struck a utility pole and overturned multiple times before catching fire.

Three bystanders pulled Stahl from the wreckage, and he was rushed to a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, with severe chest and head injuries. Stahl was in a coma for two months, and he was later moved to a rehabilitation facility with a seizure disorder from a traumatic brain injury. 

Eventually, he was transferred to a transitional care facility. He was unable to return to the agency.

Stahl had been with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for 15 years, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. He was a Vietnam War veteran, serving in the Army.