Chenowith Family Extends Thanks
September 27, 2002

As the family of Wayne County Patrolman, Jeff Chenowith (injured while on duty August 18, 2002), we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the community of Wayne County for their overwhelming kindness and support during this traumatic time.

Your prayers and donations are very comforting. The Benefit Fund set up at US Bank has shown what a truly kind and caring community in which we live and are proud to be a part of. This will be helpful as we continue to travel back and forth to Indianapolis for therapy and doctor appointments.

Thank you Duane McDonald, John Ramey and John and Rhonda Wissler for your selfless act of kindness and quick response at the scene. It is nice to know there are caring, respectful and responsible people to assist an officer or citizen in need. Words are not enough.

Also thanks to all the following agencies for responding quickly and professionally to ensure Jeff’s safety; Wayne County Communications, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, Richmond Police Department, Centerville Police Department, Centerville Fire and Rescue, Rural Metro and Life Ambulance, Parkview Samaritan Emergency Medical Helicopter Service, Cambridge City Police, Henry County Sheriff’s Department, Union County Sheriff’s Department, the Emergency Staff at Reid Hospital, and of course the many other agencies not mentioned but certainly not forgotten.

The employees of Wayne County whom Jeff and Amy have worked with on a daily basis over the past 10 years have also been very supportive and encouraging. Their contributions with prayer, financial support and cards are appreciated beyond words.

Thank you each and every friend, relative, and citizen of Wayne County who has taken the time to be by our side through this terrible time, who remembered our family in their prayers, responded to the County Web Site with words of encouragement, offered donations, and sincere words of comfort. God Bless you all.

In closing we would like to ask for your continued prayers for Jeff’s full recovery. It will be a long road, but thanks to the Grace of God we can travel this road together with friends.

Sincerely,
Jeff and Amy Chenowith and Family

UPDATE ON JEFF CHENOWITH
September 19th, 2002

Jeff Chenowith was able to attend the FOP Steak Fry for a couple of hours this evening to visit with his fellow officers and friends. Amy Chenowith related that Jeff is progressing rapidly. He is in the Indianapolis Community East Hospital for rehabilitation. They are hoping that after three to four more weeks, he will be able to come home on a part-time basis. Cards and letters may be sent to:

Jeff Chenowith
Community East
1500 N. Ritter Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46219

The Wayne County Sheriff's Department and the Chenowith family sincerely appreciate all of your prayers, support, and encouragement for Patrolman Jeff Chenowith. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. He is expected to undergo several more surgeries after the first of the year.

Jeff and Amy Chenowith

Special Fund Set up for Donations

After receiving an avalanche of requests to make monetary donations to seriously injured Deputy Jeff Chenowith, Sheriff Williams announced today that a fund has been set up at US Bank in Richmond to accept any donations to assist the Jeff Chenowith family with miscellaneous expenses that have been and will be incurred during Jeffs recovery.

Deputy Chenowith was involved in a serious personal injury accident on Centerville Road at College Corner Road around 4:25 AM on Sunday morning, August 18, 2002, when a vehicle failed to stop at the intersection and collided with Deputy Cheno with's vehicle which was responding to a personal injury accident.

Deputy Chenowith is still in critical but stable condition at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
Donations can be made at any US Bank branches in Richmond in the name of Deputy Jeff Chenowith Benefit Fund.

August 18, 2002 - Orginal Press Release from Sheriff Jerry Williams

Wayne County Sheriff's Patrolman Jeff Chenowith was involved in a 2 car accident on Centerville Road at College Corner Road around 4:25 a.m. on Sunday morning. Chenowith and other officers were responding with emergency lights and sirens to a traffic accident with injuries on Mineral Springs Road north of Greensfork when the accident occurred.

The patrol car driven by Patrolman Chenowith was northbound on Centerville Road and eastbound pick-up truck that failed to stop at the intersection of College Corner Road collided. Neighbors John Ramey and Duane McDonald heard the crash and immediately went to the aid of the occupants of both vehicles. They found Patrolman Chenowith trapped in his vehicle as the engine compartment of his police car became engulfed in flames. Mr. Ramey retrieved a fire extinguisher from his home, and Mr. McDonald, an off-duty Centerville Fireman, successfully extinguished the blaze. Patrolman Chenowith was taken by helicopter to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he is in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit. Ptl. Chenowith's K-9, Rex, was taken to the veterinary hospital and was treated and released.

The driver and occupant of the pick-up truck fled the scene on foot and were later apprehended around 7:00 a.m. near Salisbury Road and US 40. The driver and occupant of the pick-up truck were taken to Reid Hospital where they were each treated for minor injuries and later released to police custody. Both are juveniles.

The Indiana State Police are investigating the accident. Assisting agencies at the scene were the Wayne County Sheriff's Department, Henry County Sheriff's Department, Union County Sheriff's Department, Richmond Police, Centerville Police Department, Cambridge City Police, Richmond Fire, Centerville Fire, Rural Metro Ambulance, Life Ambulance, and Parkview Samaritan Emergency Medical Helicopter.

E-mail Your Support and Best Wishes

Photos of Jeff and Rex
Provided by Amy Chenowith