Allen County deputy found unconscious in his squad car, dies on duty
ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) – An Allen County Sheriff’s deputy died late Sunday after being found unconscious in his squad car.
Sgt. Joseph Cox, a 19-year veteran officer, suffered a medical emergency around 9:30 p.m. Sunday while on duty in an area in the 9600 block of Ricker Road in northeast Allen County, the sheriff’s department said Monday. He died at the scene.
Cox was reportedly responding to a crash when he suffered the medical emergency.
Emergency dispatchers issued an urgent call for all available officers to respond to the area after Cox was found unconscious in his squad car in the middle of a field there. The call prompted a large police response to the area and several police cars escorted the ambulance to the hospital to help clear traffic.
Flags at the local police and fire memorial along Wells Street were lowered Monday in honor of Cox. A procession of police and emergency vehicles ushered a hearse carrying Cox from St. Joseph Hospital in downtown Fort Wayne to the E. Harper and Son Funeral Home in New Haven.
Cox served in the sheriff’s department’s Confinement Division, Communications/Dispatch Center, Civil, Warrants, and Patrol Divisions. Sergeant Cox was a member of the Honor Guard, SWAT Team and was a K-9 Handler. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2015.