In the early morning hours of July 6, 2014, what should have been a day of celebration for Patrolman Jeffrey Brady Westerfield, his 47th birthday, turned into a tragedy that shook the city of Gary, Indiana. Westerfield, a male veteran of the Gary Police Department with 19 years of service, was found shot to death while seated in his patrol car in the 2600 block of Van Buren Street. A concerned citizen discovered the grim scene at approximately 5:50 a.m. and promptly called 911.
Responding officers found Westerfield suffering from gunshot wounds, with multiple shell casings lying on the ground outside his vehicle.
Investigators pieced together that Westerfield had been ambushed and killed. Earlier that night, he had responded to a call in the same vicinity. The investigation into his murder launched a massive manhunt involving several law enforcement agencies. The day following the shooting, authorities took three individuals into custody in connection with the crime. The focus of the investigation soon centered on one man, Carl Le'Ellis Blount, then 28 years old.
The motive for the killing appeared to stem from Blount's fear of being arrested. Patrolman Westerfield had been dispatched to investigate reports of an altercation involving Blount and his ex-girlfriend. Blount, who was on probation at the time, had an outstanding warrant and intentionally shot Westerfield to avoid apprehension.
Ultimately, Carl Le'Ellis Blount was charged with the murder of Patrolman Jeffrey Westerfield. In a plea agreement to avoid the death penalty, Blount pleaded guilty to the murder charge. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed not to pursue other charges against Blount, including those connected to a separate double homicide that occurred just days before Westerfield's murder.
