Merrillville commission awards level-two commendations to officers who responded to Feb. 27 shooting

The Town of Merrillville Police Commission voted to award level-two commendations to members of the shift that responded to a Feb. 27 home invasion where two people were found with gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead.

A written recommendation from Lieutenant Nick Bersac, read into the record by staff, said Sergeant Lance Schmidt’s crew forced entry into the residence at 7662 Van Beerren Street, secured the scene and initiated a timely investigation that involved town patrol, the Lake County Crime Scene Investigation Unit and the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Bersac recommended that Sergeant Lance Schmidt, Corporal Mike Bennell, Officer Matthew Reynolds, Officer Ryan Kjerna, Officer Daniel Knight, Officer Taylor Hensley, Officer Christopher Bartholomew and Detective Amanda Early receive level-two commendations.

Commissioner Cino moved to approve the commendations; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The chair and other commissioners offered congratulations to the officers in attendance.

The commission’s action recognized the response as a hazardous, time-sensitive incident and placed no disciplinary or investigatory outcome in the meeting record; the report cited only the department’s investigative referral to county-level units.