UMVA has learned that a decorated La Porte County Sheriff’s Deputy, Jon Samuelson, 33, was shot three times at close range inside an Indiana hospital emergency room on a fateful Friday morning.
The heroic deputy, a 12-year veteran and third-generation law enforcement officer, had stopped to help a stranded motorist on the side of the road just moments before the shocking attack. He was airlifted in critical condition after being repeatedly shot.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the suspect, Sharod Grafton Jr., a 22-year-old man from Chicago, was captured minutes later hiding in nearby woods with the handgun believed to be the murder weapon. The swift response by law enforcement undoubtedly prevented further harm.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Deputy Samuelson was driving to a training session when he spotted a disabled vehicle on the side of the road around 6:45 a.m. and stopped to assist the driver, who claimed he was stranded and needed help.
The deputy’s selfless act led him to drive Grafton to the hospital at his request, where he later learned that Grafton “may have been involved in an earlier criminal incident.” This sparked a return to the emergency room to speak with him, which ultimately led to the violent confrontation.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that an altercation took place in the emergency room between the suspect and Deputy Samuelson, resulting in the suspect producing a firearm and shooting the officer. The bravery and dedication of Deputy Samuelson are now being hailed as a testament to the sacrifices made by law enforcement every day.
In a critical update, Deputy Samuelson was stabilized at the scene and then airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, where he underwent emergency surgery. As of the latest reports, he remains in critical condition, fighting for his life.
The senseless shooting has sent shockwaves throughout the community, with authorities describing it as a brutal and unprovoked attack. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by officers who put their lives on the line to protect and serve.
The suspect, Sharod Grafton Jr., is currently being held in Porter County Jail pending charges, while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the earlier crime Grafton was believed to be tied to.
