Gary Cop Killer Sentenced To Life In Prison

Gary Cop Killer Sentenced To Life In Prison

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

It’s been an emotional week for the police force in Gary, Indiana. 

On Monday, a man convicted of killing Gary police officer George Yaros in 1981 was released from prison

On Wednesday, Lake County Superior Court Judge Sam Cappas sentenced Carl Blount to life in prison without parole for the July 6, 2014, shooting death of Gary patrolman Jeffrey Westerfield.

Blount, 28, pleaded guilty to murder in January. In exchange for the plea, Lake County prosecutor Bernard Carter agreed the state would drop two other unrelated murder charges. 

Westerfield, a 19-year veteran of the force, had responded to a call about a domestic disturbance near 26th Avenue and Van Buren Street, according to court records. He was found shot dead in his police vehicle about 5:30 a.m. It was his 47th birthday.

Prosecutors said Blount shot Westerfield as the officer sat in the car. 

Blount’s attorney, Richard Wolter, read a letter where Blount offered condolences to the Westerfield family, including his five children — four girls and a boy. In that letter, Blount said his life has changed since he’s been in custody. 

“We accepted this plea agreement because we thought it was the best disposition under the circumstances,” Wolter said after the hearing. “We wanted to get to the point where the state of Indiana stopped trying to kill (Blount). He accepted his responsibility.”

Carl Blount (Handout/For WBEZ)

The courtroom inside the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point was packed with Gary police officers who worked alongside Westerfield. 

“It brings closure for his law enforcement family and the Westerfield family as well. We know that this void will never be filled,” Gary police Chief Larry McKinley said. “We feel the sentencing was justified.”

McKinley said Westerfield actually trained him in how to be a police officer. 

“He was not only a police officer, but he was a friend,” he said. “I had dinner with him. I broke bread with him and his family. This was also a personal loss for me.”

Westerfield’s ex-wife, Gary police Lt. Dawn Westerfield, said her husband gave his life to serve others.

“He was in the army, he served his country. He was a reserve officer then a full-time officer. He died because he wouldn’t take the easy route. He didn’t stay home because it was his birthday,” she said. “He didn’t take the easy assignment. He backed up his crew because they needed him. He was a good person who did good work for everyone.”

Blount’s relatives declined to comment.

Michael Puente is WBEZ’s Northwest Indiana Bureau Reporter. Follow him on Twitter at @MikePuenteNews.