In the late afternoon of Thursday, November 3, 1988, a call came in about a person attempting to pass a fraudulent check at Newcomer's Jewelers on South Main Street in Nappanee, Indiana. Sergeant Brant Allen 'Butch' Nine, a 41-year-old male and a veteran of the Nappanee Police Department, responded to the scene along with another officer. Upon entering the jewelry store, Sergeant Nine confronted the suspect and attempted to make an arrest. A struggle broke out between the two men, and in the ensuing chaos, the suspect managed to gain control of Sergeant Nine's service weapon. The suspect then fired a single shot, striking Sergeant Nine in the chest.
As the suspect fled the jewelry store, he was met by the second officer, and an exchange of gunfire erupted, leaving the suspect wounded. Sergeant Nine was rushed to Elkhart General Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. His tour of duty with the Nappanee Police Department had lasted for six years and seven months. He was a United States Army veteran who had served in the Vietnam War.
The 24-year-old suspect was taken into custody and subsequently charged with murder and attempted murder. To avoid a possible death sentence, he later pleaded guilty. A judge sentenced him to a total of 110 years in prison, with 60 years for the murder of Sergeant Nine and an additional 50 years for the attempted murder of the second officer, to be served consecutively. In August of 2009, he was denied parole, and a petition for clemency was also denied in January 2014.
