John Unsworth

In the early morning hours of August 15, 2015, the life of John Carl Unsworth, a 43-year-old male, came to a tragic end in Hanover, Indiana. Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence on South County Road 400 West following a report of a domestic disturbance. Upon their arrival, they encountered an agitated Unsworth.

According to law enforcement accounts, Unsworth's family members reported that he had been 'out of control' and had physically assaulted them. The situation escalated when Unsworth reportedly advanced towards the deputies, ignoring their verbal commands to stop. Even after being struck multiple times with a stun gun, he continued to move towards the officers. Perceiving a threat to his life, one of the deputies discharged his firearm, striking Unsworth. He was transported to King's Daughters' Hospital Emergency Room in Madison, where he was pronounced dead.

An investigation into the shooting was conducted by the Indiana State Police. The sheriff's office stated that the deputy who fired the fatal shot feared for his life. It was later confirmed that Unsworth was unarmed at the time of the incident. Following the investigation, no arrests were made, and no charges were filed against the deputy involved in the shooting. The authorities determined that the use of lethal force was justified under the circumstances.

John Unsworth, born on February 26, 1972, in New Albany, Indiana, was known as a hardworking man with skills as a laborer and heavy equipment operator for Pettit Contracting. He was a father and is survived by his mother, stepfather, children, and other relatives.