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State police identify trooper who was shot during standoff

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Posted at 9:58 PM, Nov 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-24 21:58:27-05

JEFFERSON COUNTY — Indiana State Police released the identity of the SWAT team trooper who was shot Saturday morning during a standoff with an armed suspect in rural Jefferson County.

Master Trooper Joseph Livers, an 18-year state police veteran, suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries to his lower leg when Wade Roark allegedly opened fire during the standoff, according to information from ISP. Livers was at the scene as a member of the Indiana State Police SWAT Team.

State police said the incident began at approximately 2:30 a.m. Saturday when troopers responded to reports of a man firing shots inside a house. When they arrived, officers helped get the other people in the house escape safely.

Roark, 59, remained inside the house and the Indiana State Police South Zone SWAT Team was brought to the scene. Roark continued firing shots inside the house throughout the early morning hours.

ISP said Roark was in the basement of the home at 8 a.m. and Livers was outside when Roark shot through a hole in the wall and struck Livers in the leg. State police said a second member of the team returned fire, but the man was not hit.

Livers was transported to King's Daughters' Hospital in Madison before he was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he underwent surgery.

Roark surrendered to police at the scene, and he was arrested and transported to the Jefferson County Jail. He is being held on charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery, battery and criminal recklessness.

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