By Mandy McFarland Editor
NAPPANEE — Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 3, Nappanee residents and police officers gathered as they do each year to pay tribute to one of their own: Sergeant Brant “Butch” Nine. Nine, 41, died in the line of duty Nov. 3, 1988 when he responded to a call at a local jewelry store. The suspect had been attempting to pass a bad check, when Nine and another officer arrived. Following a struggle, the suspect grabbed Nine’s gun and shot him in the chest. When he tried to run away, the other officer, Philip D. Hochstetler, intervened. Further gunfire ensued, leaving the suspect injured.

Nine later died in the hospital from his injuries. According to information handed out during the memorial, Hochstetler went on to serve with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and was also killed in the line of duty June 29, 1994.
This year was especially meaningful after the man convicted of killing Nine filed for clemency. He had originally received a 65-year sentence for murder, with another 45 for attempted murder. Hundreds signed a petition that the Nappanee Police Department circulated, pleading with the court to deny Steele’s request, and their wishes were granted in August of this year  when the court denied him parole.