Courtesy-Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office
COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Thursday that Judge Kelly Benjamin of the Bartholomew Circuit Court sentenced James Henry to six years, all to be served in the Indiana Department of Corrections. He was convicted of Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury to a Public Safety Official, a Level 5 Felony.
On August 13, 2024, members of the Columbus Police Department (CPD) attempted to serve a parole warrant for Henry at his home in Columbus. Upon arrival, police initially asked his wife to have the man come out and surrender, but he refused.
For 56 minutes, officers gave continuous orders for Henry to exit the residence. When it became clear the subject would do so, CPD assembled an entry team and breached the home to arrest Henry.
As officers searched the house for Henry, they heard him shout “get them, get them” at his many dogs. Sgt. Brandon Decker was bitten by one of the canines. Law enforcement then used less-than-lethal devices and necessary force to subdue and arrest Henry.
The sentencing range for a Level 5 Felony is 1 to 6 years, with an advisory sentence of 3 years. Henry received the maximum sentence.
