DANVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — Hendricks County is both mourning the loss of Deputy Fred Fislar and honoring his sacrifice as a law enforcement member.

Fislar died late Monday night after coming into contact with live powerlines at the scene of a crash just north of State Road 267 in Danville. He was rushed to Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis in critical condition, but later died.

Sharon Lytle has lived in Danville most of her adult life. She came to the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office to pay her respects at the memorial featuring Fislar’s patrol car. She was emotional as she spoke with News 8.

“To think he gave his life protecting us,” Lytle said.

Lytle added, “It was just sad to think (it was) an accident, stepping on a powerline. And (think) how dangerous their jobs are, and if you are going out but (they’re) always protecting us.”

Lytle said she knows that as sad as this is for the community, it is worse for the family. “They said he had two little children and I just think about his wife and kids to lose their daddy and husband.”

Lytle also knows this loss weighs heavily on Hendricks County Sheriff Jack Sadler. “He’s just a super, super sweet guy and to see him so emotional when they interviewed him on TV today, it just broke my heart for Jack because he’s a special guy and a great sheriff.”

The memorial included flowers, stuffed animals, cards, signs, and American flags. Hunt and Sons Memorials rush-ordered a commemorative plaque and donated to the site.

Al Hall, another Danville resident, told News 8 that the situation was unbelievable.

“Just … just no words for it,” he said.

“They just go out there every day like everybody else going to work whether it be a carpenter, a plumber, a fireman,” Hall said. “These guys go out every day thinking they’re going to come home at night and it’s devastating the way the world is.”

Fislar was on the force for 2½ years but gave much of his life to his country as a member of the Marine Corps.

News release

“HENDRICKS COUNTY DEPUTY FRED FISLAR REMEMBERED

“Danville- On 04/17/2024 the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office and the law enforcement community continues to honor Deputy Fred Fislar. Deputy Fislar died as a result of injuries he sustained while rendering aid to the driver involved in a motor vehicle crash.

“Deputy Fred Fislar was hired with the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office in December of 2021. He served in the Enforcement Division for approximately two and a half years. He was a part of the 226th Basic Class of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, and further served his country as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corp. He was a graduate of Cloverdale High School. Deputy Fred Fislar leaves behind his wife, Madi, and two young children ages 6, and six months.

“Citizens are bringing flowers and other mementos to Deputy Fislar’s squad car which is ceremoniously parked in front of the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office in Danville. The amount of support and outreach from the community has been staggering and deeply appreciated. The Indiana State FOP Memorial Team has come alongside the Fislar family and the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office to assist in coordinating final honors for Deputy Fislar. We are hoping to have details finalized tomorrow morning about how members of the public can donate and support Deputy Fislar’s wife and two small children. Donation information will be shared with the media in an additional release as soon as possible.

“We would like the public to please be aware that scammers may try to take advantage of these tragic circumstances and use the death of Deputy Fislar fraudulently for their own financial gain. We ask the community to only donate through reliable sources, and if they have a question about a donation method, please reach out to the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office for additional information.

“We are also working on finalizing funeral arrangements for Deputy Fislar. We will release that information as soon as possible, with permission from Deputy Fislar’s family.

“We would like to ask our community for continued prayers and support as we grieve the loss of our brother, Fred.”

Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office news release issued at 9:56 p.m. April 17, 2024