THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED. Thank you. ————— May 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. The Darke County Sheriff's Office has been advised that some Verizon customers may experience trouble dialing 911. They are being directly transferred to the business lines at our office. We are currently working with Brightspeed and Verizon to remedy this situation. If you dial 911 and are met with an automated message, please hit "1" immediately to be transferred to Dispatch. We will advise you when this situation has been resolved. Thank you for your patience.

As of Saturday, April 5th, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. numerous roads in Darke county are closed due to high water: Palestine Union City south of State Route 571; New Madison Coletown between US36 & Stingley Rd; McFeeley Petry between SR118 & Rhynard Fink and other numerous back roads. High water across State Route 121 at Eidson Rd and SR47 & SR49 County Highway and numerous Townships are out of High-Water signs and road closed barricades. ODOT, County Garage & Townships have been out with plows trying to clean off roadways where the water has subsided. The National Weather Service is advising that Darke County could get at least another inch of rain in the next 12 hours. Please use caution when driving on any County Road and do not drive into high water as the road may be washed away or water may be deeper than you expect.

On April 2, 2025 at approximately 5:15 p.m. Darke County Deputies along with Arcanum Rescue, New Madison Fire and CareFlight responded to the 5100 block of Otterbein-Ithaca Road for a motorcycle crash with injuries. Preliminary investigation revealed a maroon Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle, driven by Kyle Eichelberger 30, of Arcanum was traveling westbound on Otterbein-Ithaca Road when he drove off the right side of the roadway colliding with the ditch. Eichelberger was flown to Miami Valley Hospital aboard CareFlight for his injuries. Contact: Deputy Joseph 937-548-2020

On March 28, 2025 at approximately 5:24 p.m. Darke County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center received a call from Preble County Sheriff's Office Dispatch of a blue pick-up truck that was driving in the wrong lanes of Interstate 70, and was now traveling northbound on US Route 127 towards Darke County. Darke County Dispatch received more calls of this truck traveling northbound at a very high rate of speed. Deputies were dispatched and while checking the area were informed that this truck was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of US 127 bypass and was just involved in a crash at the intersection of Kruckeberg Road. Preliminary investigation revealed Andrew Leininger 40, of Celina was traveling northbound on US Route 127 driving his blue Ford F-150 in the northbound lanes of the four-lane bypass and then sideswiped a trailer being pulled by another pick-up truck just south of the US Route 36 overpass. The blue F-150 then crossed over to drive northbound in the southbound lanes of US 127. While doing so, he struck and gray Toyota Tundra driven by Scott Price 51, of Union City Oh. that had been driving northbound on US Route 127 and was making a left hand turn towards Kruckeberg Road. After the collision, Leininger ran from the crash scene towards the St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery. A Greenville Police Officer observed him running towards the cemetery and while trying to apprehend Leininger the police officer had to climb over a fence and while doing so fell causing personal injury to his shoulder. This officer and another Greenville Police Officer were able to apprehend Leininger in the cemetery. The injured police officer was taken to WayneHealth for his injury. Mr. Price was treated and released at the scene. Leininger was uninjured in the crash. Leininger was placed into custody for suspicion of being under the influence of drugs, and being held for felony obstructing official business. Other charges will be filed at a later date.

On March 27, 2025 at approximately 11:52 am Darke County Deputies along with Greenville Township Rescue, Greenville fire department, Greenville City Police and Greenville Township Fire responded to US Route 127 and Children’s Home Bradford Road in reference to a serious motor vehicle accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a tan 2007 Ford minivan driven by Catherine J. Linder (63) of Versailles was traveling eastbound on Children’s Home Bradford Road at US Route 127. Linder failed to yield the right-of-way and traveled into the path of a northbound yellow 1988 International dump truck driven by Nickolus A. McFadden (24) of Springfield, Ohio. The dump truck struck the Ford minivan on the passenger side causing both vehicles traveled off the right side of the roadway coming to rest in the side ditch. McFadden was treated and released from the scene. Catherine J. Linder was pronounced dead at the scene. Darke County Coroner’s investigator, the Darke Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction team and the Ohio State Patrol Motor Carrier division also responded to the scene for further investigation.

UPDATED RELEASE TO MARCH 13, 2025 RELEASE DARKE COUNTY SHOOTING RULED A HOMICIDE As a result of further investigation and information released by Darke County Coroner Dr. Susan Brown, Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker provides the following updated information to yesterday’s shooting incident. The investigation and evidence supports that some time yesterday Josiah “Joe” Maloon, age 57, of 2535 State Route 571 Greenville, OH brutally beat and shot his wife, Juanita Maloon, age 53, of the same address. The Darke County Coroner’s Office has ruled Juanita’s death as a homicide due to a gunshot wound to the head. At approximately 2:15 pm yesterday Randy Ward II, age 47, of Ansonia, OH arrived at 2535 State Route 571, at the request of Joe Maloon, for the purpose of a transaction. According to Randy Ward, when he pulled into the drive he obtained cash from Joe Maloon’s vehicle as instructed and that is when Joe Maloon exited his house and started shooting multiple rounds at him. Randy Ward ran to his vehicle to flee the scene and was shot several times. Randy Ward left the scene in his Dodge Challenger while being chased by Joe Maloon in a Nissan Pathfinder SUV. Joe Maloon was shooting at Randy Ward while chasing him and ramming him with his SUV. The vehicles crashed into opposite fields. Joe Maloon died at the scene as a result of his injuries from the crash. Randy Ward is still being treated for multiple gunshot wounds at Miami Valley Hospital. A handgun was recovered near Joe Maloon at the crash scene and the firearm appears to be similar to the caliber believed to be used on his wife and Randy Ward, however, further forensic examination will be necessary to confirm this. Firearm spent shell casings and a white powdery substance in packaging was located in the driveway of 2535 State Route 571 in the area where Randy Ward reported the shooting started. Forensic testing will be needed to identify and confirm these findings. This investigation is still ongoing but the results thus far is what leads me to believe Joe Maloon was the primary threat in these cases and that threat no longer exists. Contact: Sheriff Mark Whittaker Phone: 937-548-2020 ————— Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker reports that his office is investigating a shooting incident that started at a residence in the 2500 block of State Route 571 west of Greenville, Ohio and ended with two vehicles crashing into a field in the 9600 block of Coletown-Lightsville Road.   On Thursday March 13, 2025 at 2:23 PM, the Darke County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a subject reporting he had been shot by a friend at a residence in the 2500 block of State Route 571.  The adult male victim reported he was being chased and shot at by the suspect in a vehicle while traveling north bound on Coletown-Lightsville Road.  Darke County Deputies and Union City Police Officers responded to the area for a shooting incident in progress.   The suspect rammed the victim’s vehicle multiple times eventually causing both vehicles to crash out into a field. The suspect rolled his SUV multiple times and was ejected from the vehicle. Union City Police Officers arrived on the scene soon after the crash and called for Union City Fire & EMS and Careflight to respond. The suspect was found unconscious and not breathing in the field. Union City Fire/EMS declared the adult male shooting suspect dead at the scene.   The victim who was being chased and shot was treated by Union City Fire & EMS at the scene and was transported by Careflight to Miami Valley Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. There were no other occupants in either vehicle during this incident.   Because of this call, deputies responded simultaneously to the suspect’s residence in the 2500 block of St RT 571 where the shooting incident started. Darke County deputies searched the residence and discovered an adult female deceased in the house. This case is being investigated as a homicide pending determination by the Darke County Coroner.   Darke County Deputies, Detectives and Darke County Coroner’s Investigator are actively investigating both scenes at the time of this release.  Preliminary information suggests that both scenes are related. While it is early in the investigation, we do not believe there is any further active threat to the public.  Follow up media releases will be provided as more information becomes available.     Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker thanks the Union City Police Officers and Fire/EMS units who rapidly responded to assist the Darke County Deputies during a dangerous and rapidly evolving scene.  No other citizens were injured because of this incident. Contact: Sheriff Mark Whittaker Phone: 937-548-2020

In response to requests for information on drone sightings, Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker reports the following information. On Monday January 27, 2025 the Darke County Sheriff’s Office received two reports of drone sightings in Darke County. One report was in the area northwest of Greenville between Greenville and Union City. The reportee indicated seeing lights in the sky presumably drones. A deputy responded and found nothing. A second report was made to a deputy that an individual witnessed 14 large drones flying in the area of Webster on the east side of Darke County between Versailles and Bradford. This sighting could not be confirmed by the deputy. The Sheriff’s Office is aware of sightings also being reported on social media. Darke County and Mercer County have experienced drone sightings near the county line. Mercer County Sheriff Timmerman and Sheriff Whittaker have been communicating together on this matter over the last two days and will continue to do so. The Darke County Sheriff’s Office has reached out to the FAA to report and discuss our concerns. The Darke County Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate these sightings and attempt to identify the operators and their purpose. Anyone with information on this matter please contact the Darke County Sheriff’s Office 937-548-2020.

On December 5, 2024 at approximately 9:15 AM Darke County Deputies along with Arcanum Rescue, Arcanum Fire Department, Arcanum Police and CareFlight were dispatched to the intersection of Alternate State Route 49 North and Hollansburg-Sampson Road. Preliminary investigation revealed a white 2023 Ford Transit box van, driven by Brian Owens (53) of Dayton, Ohio was traveling eastbound on Hollansburg-Sampson Road when Owens failed to stop at a stop sign. Owens traveled into the intersection striking a northbound, white 2000 Freightliner Semi tractor/trailer, driven by Adam Cordy (28) of Anna, Ohio. The Freightliner traveled off the right side of the roadway striking a utility pole causing power lines to fall to the ground. Owens vehicle came to rest in the ditch. Cordy was transported to Wayne Healthcare by Arcanum Rescue where he was treated and released. Owens succumbed to his injuries sustained in the accident and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Darke County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team, The Darke County Coroner’s Investigator and Arcanum Power and Light also responded to the scene. Contact: Deputy K. Sullivan Phone: 937-548-2020

Update: The 84-year-old deceased male was identified as Kenneth J. H. Dirksen. ---------- On December 3, 2024 at approximately 1:43 p.m. Darke County Deputies along with Osgood Fire and Rescue responded to 8584 Day Road for a reported explosion with a person trapped. Preliminary investigation revealed that there was not an explosion, but a small fire was discovered inside a shop area of the family owned farm, and an 84-year-old male was found deceased. This incident is under investigation with the assistance from the Darke County Coroner's Office and the State Fire Marshall's Office.

On November 29, 2024 at approximately 10:41 p.m. Darke County Deputies along with Versailles Rescue and Versailles Fire Department were dispatched to the 9200 block of Seibt Road, in reference to a single vehicle roll-over accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a 2014 gray Dodge Dart was traveling west on Seibt Road when the driver failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle then struck a guard rail and utility pole, causing it to roll over and catch on fire. The two occupants, both juveniles, were able to free themselves from the vehicle. Both occupants were treated and released at the scene.

On November 2, 2024 at approximately 9:40 AM Darke County Deputies along with Liberty Township Fire Department, Tri-Village Rescue, Greenville Township Rescue and CareFlight were dispatched to Weavers Station Road south of US Route 36 West in reference to a two-vehicle injury accident.   Preliminary investigation revealed a 2024 GMC truck, driven by Gabriel Tamplin (45) of Greenville was traveling southbound on Weavers Station Road when Tamplin traveled left of the centerline striking a northbound 2013 Chevy Equinox head on, driven by Sherry Lawrence (75) of Greenville.    Lawrence was transported to Kettering Health by CareFlight, her condition is unknown.  Tamplin was treated and released from the scene.  Tamplin was issued a citation for traveling left-of-center. Contact: Deputy M. Powell Phone: 937-548-2020