Officers involved in shooting identified

Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 2:45 PM

By Wes Dehne

Fulton County Senior Deputy Ryan J. Haney and Rochester Officer Ed Haines have been identified as the officers who discharged their firearms, killing an armed man while responding to a domestic disturbance Saturday morning in Rochester.

The Fulton County sheriff and Rochester police chief on Tuesday released the names of the officers involved in the fatal shooting of an armed suspect Saturday in Rochester.

Sheriff Travis Heishman reports that Senior Deputy Ryan J. Haney was one of two officers to discharge his firearm while responding to a residence in the 800 block of Monroe Street for a report of a domestic disturbance involving a firearm. Police Chief Andy Shotts reports that Officer Ed Haines was the other to discharge his firearm while responding to the incident.

Haney is a 7-year veteran with the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, and Haines has been with the Rochester Police Department for more than 26 years.

When they arrived at the Monroe Street residence, a man identified as Steven T. Harding, 37, of Rochester, was located inside, reportedly armed with a firearm and pointing it in the direction of at least one of them. Haney and Haines discharged their duty weapons, striking Harding.

Despite life-saving measures, Harding succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured in the incident.

Haney and Haines were subsequently placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of an investigation by the Indiana State Police. This is standard operating procedure for the Rochester Police Department and Fulton County Sheriff's Office when an officer is involved in a shooting.

The Indiana State Police is the lead agency in this investigation, assisted by the Fulton County Coroner's Office and the Fulton County Prosecutor's Office.

Upon completion of the investigation, the findings are to be provided to the Fulton County Prosecutor's Office for review.