Deputy, 2 others injured in scuffle in Porter County

(SOUTH HAVEN, Ind.) A Porter County deputy and a bystander who tried to help him were both injured in a scuffle with a man “acting irrationally” in northwest Indiana on Thursday.

About 8:50 a.m. Thursday, the Porter County sheriff’s department was called to South Haven where a man was reportedly throwing a Christmas tree and garbage into the road, a statement from Indiana State Police said.

Harold W. Gielow Jr., 55, of South Haven, was found on McCool Road just south of U.S. 6, and “immediately began to fight with the deputy,” the statement said.

Another man tried to assist the deputy until other deputies and Portage police officers arrived.

“Gielow suffered a medical emergency as multiple officers tried to subdue him,” and was taken to Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso, according to ISP. He remains in critical condition.

The deputy, a 5 1/2-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, was hospitalized with a fractured ankle, authorities said. The other man, 45, was also taken to Porter Regional with a hand injury.

The sheriff’s department contacted state police, who continue to investigate.

Anyone who witnessed the incident please should call Det. Mark Brletic or Det. Mike Bailey at (219) 696-6242.