An Elkhart man may be spending the rest of his life behind bars 36-year-old Eric Watson was sentenced to 114 years in prison after being found guilty on four counts of child molestation Reports say the victim contacted police in December of 2021 reporting that she had been molested between the ages of 7 and 10 Watson denied the accusations at sentencing and claimed the trial should not have been held because his attorney did not have time to prepare The Goshen News says Watson was found guilty by trial in all four counts of child molestation and website in this browser for the next time I comment Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station’s FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC’s online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov IN (WSBT) — Hundreds of RV workers will be laid off in June in plants in Elkhart and LaGrange counties DRV LLC and Heartland Recreational Vehicles LLC filed official notice of the layoffs called the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice (WARN) with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development The layoffs are scheduled to take effect on June 20 Cruiser RV layoffs will affect five different plants in Howe Heartland Recreational vehicles will lay off workers at six plants in Elkhart and one plant in Middlebury DRV layoffs will affect workers at one plant in Howe A report last month said RV shipments were up 15% from last March to this March RELATED: Sturgis RV plant to close while RV industry sees rise in shipments over last year Michigan were also given notice last month that a THOR owned plant -- Heartland RV -- would close on June 20 The RV industry has long been considered the bellwether of up and down cycles in the economy (WSBT) — The Elkhart Farmer's Market returns this weekend for the season in downtown Elkhart this farmer's market has become a community favorite and features everything from farm fresh produce to baked treats to handcrafted goods Elkhart Parks and Recreation's Liz Stoutenour joined WSBT 22's Leanne Tokars on First in the Morning Saturday to talk more about the market Watch the video above for more information Elkhart Civic Theatre presents “12 Angry Jurors” from May 9 to 18 at the Bristol Opera House The play originated as a 1954 television drama titled “12 Angry Men” adapted for the stage and then into the 1957 movie starring Henry Fonda the play reveals the complexity of human nature and the tenacity of truth as 12 jurors debate the fate of a 19-year-old man on trial for the murder of his father It’s a seemingly open-and-shut case until one juror begins to show doubt “We have nothing to gain or lose by our verdict,” the juror says For more information, call 574-849-7732 or visit elkhartcivictheatre.org (WSBT) — A South Bend man was arrested early Sunday morning after police say he was driving while impaired and caused a crash Police say 36-year-old Aureliano Pereira was heading west on US-20 when he crossed the fog line and hit a guard rail in a construction zone Periera's vehicle flipped over onto its top He was taken to the hospital for his injuries and later arrested after police say he was found to be impaired Periera was charged with Operating While Intoxicated Endangerment Ruthmere Museum presents the first concert in its spring concert series The 2024-2026 NEC Professional Trio in Residence at the New England Conservatory cellist Annie SeEun Hyung and pianist Andrew Jun Chen after the Greek goddess of discord and strife the trio is “united by a genuine love for collaboration and a deeply personal approach to music-making,” according to a press release According to a press release from Ruthmere the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition is the nation’s largest chamber music competition bringing together young musicians from across the country and around the world For more information, call 574-264-0330 or visit ruthmere.org Elkhart County Sheriff’s deputies say the vehicle was severely damaged after it crashed into a guard rail in a construction zone of South Bend was taken to the hospital for treatment We recognise you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore cannot grant you access at this time e-mail us at web-support@elkharttruth.com or call us at 574-294-1661 — On the streets of this northern Indiana city a rogue band of cops who patrolled Black neighborhoods was known by different nicknames aggressive and White — as the "future of the department," a former Elkhart police captain said Another described them as a "gang in blue" that operated like "special ops." Inside the police department, they were known as the Wolverines An IndyStar investigation found members of the group abused their power for years cloaking themselves in a code of silence and operating with impunity Department leaders who often looked the other way enabled their violent and racist actions Not only did the Wolverines rule the streets with iron fists Their successes sent a tacit message to other ambitious officers and helped foster a culture of tolerance for racism The Wolverines' reign of terror goes back nearly four decades but their unchecked behavior continues to haunt the city and its police force Nowhere is the notoriety of the Wolverines more prevalent than in Elkhart’s Black community where the group's brutal tactics fueled a lingering distrust of police Black residents make up about 12% of the manufacturing-heavy city of 53,000 people that sits just south of the Michigan state line "Those people that this happened to 30 years ago they had kids and grandkids," said a current police department employee who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation from fellow officers "Those stories have been passed on throughout the community pastor of the Southside Baptist Church in Elkhart said there has "never been a solid relationship" between the police and the Black community because of decades of abuse IndyStar’s investigation pulls back the curtain on this dark chapter in Indiana policing to reveal the tactics and impact of the officers who brazenly crossed the thin blue line speaking for the city and police department said in a written response to IndyStar's questions that he can't answer for decades-old misconduct allegations involving officers who have left the police force "excessive force isn't something that should have been or ever should be tolerated" in any city who became the city's first Black mayor in 2019 acknowledged longstanding concerns many Black residents have about harassment from some officers and the "lack of trust" in a department that didn't have much positive interaction with the Black community But he said officials have made important changes and are committed to improving those relations "is not tolerated in today's Elkhart Police Department." The legacy of the Wolverines and the broader culture of misconduct are most easily seen in a series of troubling numbers Six wrongfully convicted people have been exonerated in Elkhart since 2006 That is the highest per capita in Indiana and fifth in the United States among cities with more than 40,000 residents Those exonerated in Elkhart — four are Black men — spent a combined 70 years behind bars for crimes they didn't commit Four other wrongful-conviction claims are pending in Elkhart County courts Three of those claiming innocence remain in prison "It would shock me if a family in the Black community in Elkhart wasn’t harmed by the systemic misconduct that has taken place there for decades," said Elliot Slosar a Chicago civil rights attorney who represents clients whose convictions have been overturned Roberson said the court system is where those who may have been wronged can — and should — turn for resolution when the judicial process determines that police misconduct led to a wrongful arrest and conviction," the mayor said "that we have a responsibility to address the misconduct within the department if the responsible officer is still a member of the department." This story is the first in a multipart series about the group's impact in Elkhart’s criminal justice system The stories are based on extensive reporting spread over three years including former officials; Elkhart residents who filed complaints and lawsuits accusing officers of misconduct; and current and former police officers some of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation IndyStar also reviewed hundreds of pages of public records and three dozen recorded depositions in which former officers — including those identified as part of the Wolverines — testified under oath as part of civil rights lawsuits There is no official list of who was part of the Wolverines. But former employees named more than a dozen officers as part of the group. IndyStar is naming eight officers identified independently as affiliated with the Wolverines by at least three former colleagues in sworn depositions Those eight also had disciplinary histories and were named in legal cases alleging misconduct Two were accused of falsifying evidence to frame people of crimes Two of the eight denied being part of the Wolverines including one who claimed in a deposition he only heard of the name and another who testified he declined an invitation to join Another admitted in a deposition he was one of the Wolverines but denied misconduct allegations One didn't respond to messages requesting comment One — who's in federal prison for robbing banks in 11 states — declined to be interviewed Former officers told stories about unwarranted arrests unjustified use of force and other misconduct from colleagues sworn to protect and serve One former officer recalled brutal beatings at the police station and seeing colleagues pull up in a Black neighborhood just to "kick some ass." Another said a former officer trashed his car and told a colleague he wasn’t worried: "They’ll think the n------ did it." That same officer later became detective and was accused of helping fabricate evidence to convict a Black man of an armed robbery he didn't commit "They ruined the lives of an entire community...," said Slosar but they built pretty incredible careers from it." Former department leaders and supervisors offered conflicting statements about the group while others said knowledge of the Wolverines was widespread stated in a deposition there were only "rumors" and "smoke and mirrors" about the group Two former police chiefs stated in depositions they knew only of the name He recalled seeing a picture of the officers stated in a deposition the group's existence was "common knowledge" in the department Some even wore jackets emblazoned with the group's name Ivory said they also had a motto hinting at a code of silence: One for all and all for one "They would all stick together and regardless (of) whatever the issue might be Experts say the fraternal culture of policing often leads to the creation of cliques based on factors such as ethnicities But rogue groups that exist with tacit approval from supervisors can lead to abusive behavior that is hard to expose because the only witnesses are often the officers themselves The group's name came from the movie "Red Dawn," former officers testified the 1984 movie features a group of teens who use guerilla tactics to fight communist invaders The movie came out years before de-escalation and community policing became common practices before smartphones and body cameras captured police encounters and before George Floyd’s last words — "I can’t breathe" — unleashed a nationwide firestorm over race and policing and the war on drugs was escalating tensions between the police and Black communities the Wolverines' existence coincided with a racial divide and a demographic shift in which non-Whites accounted for a growing percentage of the city's population Policing skewed heavily toward results rather than the rights of the accused A major controversy over police brutality erupted in Elkhart in 1993 when a federal jury found five officers violated the rights of two Black men who denied the allegations and were cleared by the department were ordered to pay thousands of dollars in damages and suspended — but only for a few days The city's Board of Public Safety issued a report in the aftermath condemning the department's lack of accountability "The problem is police brutality," the report said "… The problem appears to be in a system that is secured in privacy and protected by a code of silence further protected by state law." City leaders also commissioned an outside study of policing practices Officers "abused citizens," the study found alienated segments of the community and undercut the support the police depend upon to be effective in controlling crime and maintaining order." Police leaders failed to hold "a minority of officers" accountable Condoning their misconduct "had become ingrained in the agency’s management culture." Three of the five officers found liable for civil rights violations in the 1993 verdict were among those later identified by former colleagues as Wolverines He said the officers regularly showed up in the neighborhood to harass and intimidate "They enjoyed every minute of beating us," Pegues said Abuse allegations continued through the 1990s and early 2000s even after several of the officers identified as Wolverines left the police force an officer identified by former colleagues as a Wolverine was suspended for five days for arresting a Black man without a warrant a mentally ill Black man died after officers used a Taser multiple times to subdue him Listed as one of the causes of death was "stress related to police confrontation and restraint," according to the coroner's report The county prosecutor acknowledged the officers' actions "may have inadvertently contributed" to the man's death but determined their use of force was reasonable The officers were sued by the man's family for alleged use of excessive force The police chief, who'd only reprimanded the officers, resigned shortly after the video became public He would later state in a deposition that as a young officer three decades earlier The controversy prompted yet another study. A report released in 2019 echoed findings from two decades earlier: Officers felt they could push boundaries with impunity They were known for being "too rough," the report said Contact IndyStar reporter Kristine Phillips at (317) 444-3026 or at kphillips@indystar.com motorists will be rerouted to exit 96 on the Indiana Toll Road due to a temporary closure of the Elkhart Toll Plaza including pavement rehabilitation and technology enhancements the Indiana Toll Road Concession Company said in a press release All eastbound and westbound traffic will be rerouted to exit 96 and signage reporting the detour will be posted The Elkhart Toll Plaza will be closed from Thursday Information about traffic impacts and project updates can be found at https://www.indianatollroad.org/ Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com Elkhart landlords pushed back this week against a proposed rental registration ordinance the City Council plans to vote on Monday The ordinance would require all rental units in the city to be registered and undergo inspection every three years The council held its first reading of the proposal in early April City Communications Director Alex Otto said the ordinance aims to ensure rental properties meet basic health and safety standards “The rental registry requires that those rentals are meeting minimum health and safety standards,” Otto said “So this now validates those who are doing it right and puts pressure on those who are not.” A public forum held last week drew a crowd—mainly landlords—who voiced strong opposition to the proposal Many expressed concern that the inspection process would be unmanageable and could intrude on tenant privacy Landlord Dave Blessing questioned the logistics of enforcing the ordinance with limited staff “I only heard one inspector being proposed,” Blessing said That’s 16 inspections a day to hit those numbers After 14 individuals spoke against the measure Councilman David Henke moved to keep the ordinance in committee Stacker compiled a list of the most expensive homes in Elkhart listed for sale on realtor.com Homes are ranked by price with ties broken by price per square foot After 53 years at its facility on Industrial Parkway in Elkhart, Ind., Fleming Sales moved to a new location at 54900 County Rd 17, in Elkhart. The company stated it moved out of its old 43,000-square-foot facility to a newer, more efficient facility of just over 20,000 square feet. The privately held, family-run business is celebrating serving the hardware, parts and RV industries for 80 years in 2025.   “My dad built the building we just moved out of in 1972,” said co-owner third generation Bob Grady of his father. John E. Grady joined his grandfather, Edgar Fleming’s, firm in 1947. “We are actually about three miles away from where we were here on County Road 17 and Protector Drive now.  It’s right on the corner of a main route in Elkhart, north and south, perfect for our distribution. It’s a very good location. A lot of traffic, a lot of exposure.” Third in line of the four generations of family that has led Fleming Sales, Bob Grady, has run parts and service since 1972. He stated that its new facility represents a consolidation process for the firm. His brother, CEO, Mark Grady and fourth generation in the family, and national sales and marketing executive, Caryn Grady manage the firm day to day.     Today, the company successfully carved out a niche in fabrication, distribution and sale of products to RV manufacturers. © 2023 G&G Media Group LLC "Lawless," a new IndyStar investigation by reporter Kristine Phillips and visual journalist Mykal McEldowney pulled back the curtain on decades-old police misconduct in Elkhart and the lingering impact on the department and the city's Black community Here are seven things you need to know about the investigation The IndyStar investigation revealed they systematically targeted the Black community for harassment and bogus arrests Former officers said the Wolverines were known for using excessive force — part of a broader culture of brutality that a former police captain said "everybody took pride in." Some espoused racist beliefs and used slurs against people of color Were any of the officers identified as Wolverines held accountable?No. Former officers said the police department's management at that time often turned a blind eye on misconduct A 1994 report by two outside policing experts found that condoning the bad behavior of a few bad apples has become "ingrained" in the agency's culture The agency also faced dozens of lawsuits and even more citizen complaints alleging use of excessive force by officers — including by those identified as part of the Wolverines But internal affairs investigations into those complaints often cleared officers of wrongdoing Lawsuits were often settled: Accusers receive small to modest payouts Are any of the Wolverines still on the police force?None of the eight former officers identified as being affiliated with the Wolverines are with the police force at this time The city is still paying a heavy price for the unchecked behavior of the small band of officers and the broader culture of misconduct they helped create Six people have been exonerated in Elkhart, a city of about 53,000 people. The city's liability insurance carriers have so far agreed to pay nearly $27 million to settle allegations that detectives fabricated evidence and used false witnesses to frame people for crimes they did not commit officers identified as part of the Wolverines were part of the investigation that led to wrongful conviction Four more wrongful conviction claims are pending in Elkhart County courts speaking on behalf of the city and police department said he can't answer for decades-old misconduct allegations against officers no longer on the force Use of excessive force should not be allowed to happen Racism and bigotry "were wrong then and are wrong today." "Misconduct is not tolerated in today's Elkhart Police Department," said Roberson He said officials have worked hard in recent years to build a strong relationship with the community and to train officers on de-escalation and cultural relations He added that his administration has held officers accountable for bad behavior Why is the Black community still wary of police?For Black residents years of abuse and enduring prejudices are hard to forget "Those people that this happened to 30 years ago, they had kids and grandkids. Those stories have been passed on throughout the community. Our Black community doesn't trust us," said a current Elkhart police officer who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation from colleagues. Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. Elkhart residents rally together as city recovers from severe storm damageby Cicily Porter, WSBT 22 Reporter ELKHART, Ind. (WSBT) — Thousands of us are picking up the pieces from the strong storms that swept through our region Sunday. In Elkhart, many are still without power and have been working all day to clean up the mess Even though this appears to be straight-line winds, the damage is still quite extensive. This led the city to host a press conference to let people know what they should be doing right now. “Please, at this time neighbors have to be neighbors. We did a wonderful job of neighbors being neighbors during that tornado and there were so many people that came to the assistance of others and we would like for that to continue to exist in any inclement weather,” says Mayor Roberson. Trees are ripped in half, Buildings are damaged, and debris is scattered. The storm was so strong that one of the trees had been uprooted and even shifted the sidewalk with it. More than 75 storm related incidents have been reported, and 18 structures have extensive damage. WSBT talked with a family who witnessed the storm ripping a large tree from their yard and landing it on their home and cherished car. “He turned all pale his expression was like just sad. I thought he was going to cry or faint. I don't know. I close the blind like dude just come over here,” says Mane Alvarez. The Alvarez family says that their brother, Brian, put a lot of time and money into the car so watching the tree fall onto it was hard for all of them but they are happy their family is safe. “We are all still here. We are all still standing as a family... You know I thank God for that that we're all still here. No one was hurt...” says Erik Alvarez. While the brothers were working to remove the tree, a stranger appeared to offer a helping hand. Pat O’Keefe, made the drive from Vandalia to Elkhart because he said he felt called to do so. “God said, load it up and go. I didn't even tell my wife she doesn't even know where I'm at” says O’keefe. Now city officials are warning residents to be aware of scams and urge you to work with your insurance company. Humane Society of Elkhart County waives pet adoption fees for 'Empty the Shelters' eventby WSBT 22 (WSBT) — If you have been thinking about adopting a pet now is the time to open up your home to a furry friend The Humane Society of Elkhart County will waive all adoption fees until May 15 It is in support of the Bissell Pet Foundation's spring Empty the Shelters event The nationwide initiative helps give animals a second chance and families a chance to find a loyal companion The Humane Society is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m ELKHART — It has been 20 years since an area boys golf team won the state title several area teams feel like they have a chance to make noise when June rolls around including Elkhart which is enjoying its best season in more than 30 years marking the first time an Elkhart program entered Indiana’s top 20 since the late 1990s "It's kind of mind blowing but it’s a good feeling because the past three to four years we've worked and it’s finally paying off," says Elkhart senior Steven Webb "We’ve raised the competitiveness in our program especially in practice," says Elkhart golf coach Todd King It’s just all come together and that’s helped us as a whole." and freshman Ben Divido joins from the Lions middle school program creating even more depth for an experienced team "You have five guys that can score and only four scores you can take you don’t have to really worry and there’s not as much pressure on you," says sophomore Cameron Miller we’ve probably not going to take your score so you can try to get back together and improve throughout the day." The team feels all the ingredients are there to compete deep into the postseason "Being able to play with this good of a team I feel like we have a really good chance to make state," says freshman Ben Divido I feel like if we put some good rounds together Smeared all over the floor and on the head arms and legs of the skinny Black man who was just arrested The gruesome scene was the aftermath of a beating Carolyn Jenks said she witnessed inside the Elkhart Police Department's detention center There was so much blood she wasn't sure where exactly the young man was injured of one thing: Demetrius Pegues did not fight back as multiple officers beat him "Seeing what they did to him," Jenks told IndyStar "… I started to wonder how I was going to handle this." Jenks said the 1989 incident was not an outlier She reported seeing former colleagues use excessive force and hurl racial slurs against people of color several times during her short employment there An IndyStar investigation into the Elkhart Police Department found a history abusive behavior permeated its culture A dozen former officers and more than 20 residents said in interviews and depositions that the city's police force brutalized and violated the rights of citizens it was sworn to protect Several recounted troubling stories about a band of young White cops known in the 1980s and 1990s as the Wolverines The group often targeted Black people for harassment former officers described an environment where racism and excessive force were tolerated and where Black residents were seen as "undesirables." The Wolverines worked with an us-versus-them mentality — a culture that spread beyond just the Wolverines "Them," former officer Marvin Johnson stated in a deposition None of the officers identified as part of the Wolverines remain at the police department today but they left behind a trail of misconduct complaints and lawsuits — nearly 160 from 1985 to 1999 — that helped foster a lingering distrust of the police in the Black community speaking for the city and the police department said he can't answer for decades-old misconduct allegations against officers no longer with the department But he said the city has made several major changes in recent years aimed at improving the department's culture including creating a review board to look at use-of-force incidents Officers receive de-escalation training while they're attending the academy and every year after that The department has also sought to create a more "racially sensitive" and "culturally aware" police force through annual trainings on implicit bias a change in agency leadership and oversight And officers are required to report racist behavior within the ranks racism and bigotry were wrong then and are wrong today," Roberson said in a written response to IndyStar's questions "In my administration there is zero tolerance for racist language or behavior." Beating inmates 'was the reputation'The police department's detention center was often the site of brutal beatings But what happened to Pegues pushed her to her breaking point Becoming a police officer in her hometown was the opportunity of a lifetime for the single mother and former factory worker Jenks recalled helping Pegues stand as she took his booking photo and fingerprints was standing near a cell door as she helped the 19-year-old Jenks watched officers provoke a Hispanic man they'd just arrested by calling him a slur repositioned a video surveillance camera so it didn't capture the incident Eight former officers stated in interviews and depositions that Davidson was affiliated with the Wolverines who's in federal prison for robbing banks in 11 states Jenks also recalled walking into the aftermath of another beating "we had another prisoner at the hospital." a former captain of the Criminal Investigation Division said it was well known for years that inmates taken to the detention center were "treated worse" than in other facilities "and everybody took pride in that and knew that." and the surrounding neighborhood just south of the railroad tracks were the Wolverines' playground For decades the old Conrail line was the geographical and racial line that divided Black residents from the rest of the city Jenks recalled going to the Gardens on one overnight shift with three officers residents of the Gardens often sat outside playing music sweltering apartments that weren’t air-conditioned said former police officer Princess Spencer including those identified by former colleagues as Wolverines viewed these large outdoor gatherings with suspicion — or worse Spencer recalled hearing officers on her police radio planning and coordinating their attacks knowing their arrival would cause people to scatter She watched the same scene unfold many times arrested on bogus charges such as disorderly conduct "They just take that power," Spencer said of the Wolverines Spencer was fired in 1991 over allegations of misusing sick time She had also been accused of using excessive force including in a lawsuit that was settled for $50,000 said the Wolverines competed to see who could arrest the most people from the neighborhood He recalled overhearing the officers talk about it like a game at the police station one night just a few weeks after he was hired in 1991 The officers were chatting while Urban was using a copy machine nearby You guys better step it up," one of the officers said "You better get busy down in the Gardens because I’m going to win tonight." who was fired in 2011 for signing his ex-wife's name on an estate check also recalled watching officers — including the Wolverines — confront people who were simply standing on the sidewalk He saw them aggressively pat people down for no reason and slam bodies on the hood of their squad cars He watched them force people to the ground using a foot on the neck to hold them down He watched them use their batons for no reason They were "systematically looking for people," Urban said a "good ol' boys" network in which outsiders with different backgrounds were viewed with skepticism Police officers often recommended their friends for jobs Young men followed in the footsteps of their fathers and other relatives And they often had similar beliefs about policing Training emphasized firearms and street survival skills according to one of Perron’s memos to the police department Instruction on proper tactics to restrain and arrest someone was not mandated a retired officer who joined the department in 1991 and later became a use-of-force instructor "De-escalation back then was probably if you slowed down before you threw somebody on the ground," Travis said then-Police Chief Tom Cutler said use of excessive force was uncommon A city council member said Jenks' concerns were overblown professional and responsible apprehension?" Robert Moore a member of the board that oversaw the police department "Or are we seeing the none (sic) professional methods of a street fighter?" City officials also were worried about the department's struggles to recruit "quality minority applicants," according to another memo Those who joined the department found rampant racism among the ranks Racial slurs were hurled casually and often IndyStar found no documented evidence that any Wolverines or other Elkhart officers were affiliated with the KKK But several former officers recalled seeing Klu Klux Klan memorabilia — pamphlets a wallet and a comb embossed with a KKK logo — in the police department Urban came to work one night and saw an image that bothered him It was posted on a bulletin board inside the station He didn't know who put it there — or why — but he promptly took it down he still has the political cartoon someone had cut out from a magazine was the phrase "BOYZ N THE HOOD." It showed police officers in a patrol car  The logo on the driver's side door had been changed to "EPD." Records show they made efforts to move toward community policing with a focus on building relationships with residents rather than acting as enforcers who react to incidents found officers seemed "resistant" to the idea "The internal culture was very hard to turn," Cutler later stated in a deposition filed in court He said he fired problematic officers in cases where he could prove misconduct Ivory outlined significant changes in memos to staff They included more emphasis on community policing and de-escalation training He also promised to bolster internal investigations of complaints against officers which have been "inadequate" and "inconclusive." All claims of misconduct would be investigated and habitual minor violations would bring severe punishment "There has been entirely too much emphasis and talk by too many about 'us versus them,'" Ivory wrote in one memo there is only us — serving the citizens of Elkhart." But those efforts did little to change attitudes Deeply entrenched mentalities were hard to change Ivory stated in a deposition filed in court especially if the officers themselves believed there was nothing to fix "They felt it wasn’t broken …," Ivory said Johnson recalled watching his colleagues openly mock a speaker conducting a seminar on diversity They "insinuated" that no matter what the speaker said recalled the unsettling response when he approached the speaker after the seminar Racism and brutality against Black people extended beyond the Wolverines Johnson offered to transport a Black man who was just arrested for drunk driving He knew the man; they went to high school together "When we get to the police station," the man told Johnson during the drive Johnson assured him nothing would happen to him He put the man in one of the cells and went to finish some reports Not everyone saw the Wolverines as a violent or racist group of officers said the officers were always chasing and arresting people on the south side of Elkhart "I worked down there quite a bit," he said referring to Washington Gardens and the surrounding neighborhood "and I never saw anybody being brutalized." who was with the department for nearly four decades said officers back then had a "no-nonsense attitude" and low tolerance for law breakers But he acknowledged the reputation that some officers used excessive force was "probably accurate." described the Wolverines as a name given to "proactive" young patrolmen who did their job Windbigler stated in a deposition filed in court Windbigler faced criticism for only reprimanding the officers Demetrius Pegues doesn’t like thinking about the past But the scar on his head is a constant reminder of the life-altering night more than 30 years ago when he was riding his moped near Washington Gardens He said they were also called the Wolf Pack he jumped off his moped and ran toward a dumpster allegedly hitting Pegues with a gun on the right side of his head as they struggled Officers then put him in the back of a patrol wagon Ambrose and Faus recounted the incident differently They said he yelled obscenities and struck and kicked the officers several times as they tried to arrest him for obstruction of traffic Ambrose also wrote that Pegues grabbed his service revolver during the struggle Pegues was transported to the detention center where he said he was beaten again while handcuffed to a bed The police department cleared Ambrose and Faus of wrongdoing who did not respond to requests for comment denied in a deposition being part of the group Eleven former officers stated in interviews and depositions that he was affiliated with the Wolverines Six former officers identified Faus as part of the group A hospital employee and a firefighter also reported seeing or hearing of officers battering suspects "On one occasion in the emergency room," a former Elkhart General Hospital employee wrote in a lawsuit affidavit stated that he would rather shoot the black sons of bitches or work them over rather than go to the trouble of bringing them to the police station or emergency room." told IndyStar about hearing the persistent screams of a man lying handcuffed on a hospital gurney Stewart opened the curtains around the emergency room bed and saw two officers standing next to the man now spends a lot of time sitting in a chair by the living room window of his childhood home on the south side of Elkhart He uses a thick cushion to support his back which he said has never been the same since he was beaten by police He also experiences frequent migraines he believes are caused by those injuries touching his right temple where he said Ambrose struck him with a gun "they made it clear that they didn't want me around." Pegues moved several times — to Mississippi working at a factory and living with his elderly mother who said she still worries about her son every time he leaves the house he'll never be OK with the beating he said he endured at the hands of police Tears rolled down his cheek as he uttered two more words some believe the culture — the racist attitudes the "good ol' boys" club that protected bad actors and the willingness to push the limits of their power — continues even years after the Wolverines left the police force "It’s so bad I don’t even think I can make it to my 20-year mark," said a current officer who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation from colleagues The officer recalled one incident in 2011 in which he and other officers responded to a call involving a Black family The officer said everything was calm — until another officer showed up when his colleague confronted one of the residents with hostility "We ended up arresting everybody in the house for disorderly conduct because he got them so riled up," the officer said That colleague who triggered the melee was later promoted to sergeant Contact IndyStar reporter Kristine Phillips at (317) 444-3026 or at kphillips@indystar.com. Police are investigating the apparent murder of a man downtown Elkhart early Monday but they’ve released no information on the case four days later. Elkhart police say 40-year-old Douglas Morgan was found dead Monday morning in an alley off the 400 block of South Main Street. That’s across from the Lerner Theater and the Chamber of Commerce. Police classified the case as a murder in the blotter, which is a log of police calls that they release daily to the news media. But that’s all anyone would say as of Friday afternoon. Asked for basic information, Elkhart Police spokeswoman Jessica McBrier referred WVPE to Elkhart County’s homicide unit, which is overseen by county Prosecutor Vicki Becker. However, Becker’s spokeswoman, Shelley Murphy, declined to comment or make anyone available to discuss the case. It’s unclear whether Morgan was killed in the alley or killed somewhere else and brought to the alley. Murphy, Becker’s spokeswoman, said a pathologist and the county coroner are determining how Morgan died, and it could be several weeks before they release information on that. ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — Police are looking for the driver who they say caused a head-on crash overnight in Elkhart County that sent two people to the hospital. It happened just before 1:00 a.m. Thursday morning on County Road 40 west of County Road 21, just outside the Goshen city limits. Police say the driver of a small SUV crossed the center line, hit another vehicle head-on, and then ran from the scene. The driver and passenger in the car that was hit were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. ELKHART, Ind. (WSBT) — The Go Red for Women luncheon was this Thursday. The event helps bring attention to heart issues in women. WSBT 22 First in the Morning Anchors Bob Montgomery and Leanne Tokars hosted the event at the Lerner Theatre in Elkhart. The American Heart Association hosts events like this to try to raise awareness and end heart disease in women. President Donald Trump holds a cabinet meeting at the White House. WATCH LIVEElkhart police searching for missing 68-year-old womanby WSBT 22 IN (WSBT) — A 68-year-old woman in Elkhart is missing and police are searching for information and her whereabouts Police say she’s about 5’5” tall and weighs 175 pounds She is a special needs adult and walks with a limp She was last known to be in the Elkhart area please call Det Scott Hauser at 574-389-4797 or the Elkhart Police Department at 574-295-7070 (WSBT) — Drivers in Elkhart will need to be aware of an upcoming project that could impact travel on the Toll Road Work will soon get underway at the Elkhart Toll Plaza at Exit 92 It will be closed May 8 through May 11 for upgrades traffic will be detoured to the Elkhart East Toll Plaza drivers can expect to see technology enhancements and pavements repairs