Two officers who allegedly made false statements in the investigation into two crashes involving Stephen Stopczynski have resigned from the St. Joseph County Police Department.
With the resignations of Officers James Hart and Brad Bauters, the sheriff has filed a “withdrawal of charges due to resignation” with the police merit board. Both were facing termination in connection with allegedly making false statements during an internal investigation.
It was back in February when Stopczynski crossed the center line on Grant Road, hitting another vehicle. Stopczynski died and a 13 year-old girl in the other vehicle was airlifted to Riley Children’s Hospital with a serious spine injury.
The investigation into the crash found that Stephen Stopczynski’s BAC was .15 at the time of the crash.
The crash was his second of the day, having plowed his car into a snowbank earlier in the day.
The sheriff received an anonymous tip that two of his officers had interacted with Stopczynski several hours before the second crash.
The St. Joseph County Police Department released the following statements about the resignations:
Officer James Hart has chosen to voluntarily resign from the St. Joseph County Police Department. As a result of the resignation ending the employment of Officer Hart, Sheriff Redman has filed a “Withdrawal of Charges Due to Resignation” with the St. Joseph County Police Merit Board ending the pending Merit Board disciplinary case involving James Hart. The Department will have no further comment on Mr. Hart’s matter or employment with the Department.
Officer Brad Bauters has chosen to voluntarily resign from the St. Joseph County Police Department. As a result of the resignation ending the employment of Officer Bauters, Sheriff Redman has filed a “Withdrawal of Charges Due to Resignation” with the St. Joseph County Police Merit Board and ending the pending Merit Board disciplinary case involving Bauters. The Department will have no further comment on Mr. Bauters’ matter or employment with the Department.
