busconews.com

by Mark Hodges 

As I try to write this month’s article, I am having trouble knowing where to begin.  Having three homicides in the last five months is quite obviously out of the norm for Whitley County.  While we were investigating the disappearance of Deb Houser last November, I was asked by the news media about how often a homicide occurs in Whitley County.

From my experience I told them one about every five or six years.  Then in January a body was discovered in a woods in Union Township.  Then on March 18, we began investigating the disappearance of 14-year-old Kaylin Doggendorf.  Late Friday night, March 19, the body of Kaylin was discovered just into Kosciusko County, not far from her Whitley County home. I am not too proud or macho to say that Kaylin’s death was very emotional for several of us in this department. Deputy Scott Geist took the initial report of Kaylin being missing.  As facts and evidence started to come in, we realized something wasn’t right. Chief Deputy Marc Gatton became very involved in the investigation as did Detective Chuck Vogely.  Within 24 hours, Gatton and Vogely developed a suspect and on Friday morning he was located.  There is so much more investigation that occurred that I cannot go into, but by late Friday night the suspect was in custody and charged with Kaylin’s death. I want to publicly thank Chief Deputy Marcus Gatton, Detective Chuck Vogely, Deputy Scott Geist, Deputy Dennis Ruch and Reserve Deputies Sean Martin and Tyson Howenstine for their dedication to this investigation.  The citizens of Whitley County should be proud to have these men as officers of the Sheriff’s Department.  I know I am.

On a much lighter topic, the Whitley County Sheriff’s Reserves are preparing a fund raising raffle that will kick off in the next few weeks. A Remington model 870 shotgun and a Savage caliber 17HMR rifle are the prizes that will go to two lucky ticket holders. Most any department member or Reserve will have tickets for sale at $10 each.  Drawing will be held on October 31 at the annual pancake and sausage breakfast. The Reserves are also having a fish and tenderloin supper on May 1 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the FOP Building, 606 W. Van Buren Street, Columbia City. Please help your Reserve organization raise needed funds by attending the fish and tenderloin supper and purchasing a raffle ticket. 

In closing, I have been approached by so many people in the last three weeks offering praise for our work on the last homicide.  People have also shared that they are thinking of us and praying for us.  For all of you who have publically spoken or privately prayed, I thank you very much.  Your thoughts, your words and your prayers are greatly appreciated.