Frankfort Police Deputy Chief Cesar Muñoz is back home and recovering from multiple fractures after a recent two‑vehicle crash south of the city that left another driver dead, Police Chief Scott Shoemaker said on WILO’s “Party Line” Thursday morning. Shoemaker said the department is “very blessed” not to be planning a line‑of‑duty funeral while recognizing the tragedy for the other family involved.
Deputy Chief Muñoz “grateful to be alive”
Shoemaker said the crash occurred nearly two weeks ago and left Muñoz with serious injuries that will keep him off the street for an extended period. “He is at home healing up; he has multiple fractures that will take two months, maybe at least, before we can even get him back into the office to do some office work,” the chief said.
The chief described an emotional drive to the crash scene that morning. “I thought we were going to have to bury a police officer based on what I was hearing,” he said. “Thankfully that’s not the case on our end, and he is at home healing up.”
Shoemaker said Muñoz, whom he described as “very active” and heavily involved in keeping the department running smoothly, is struggling most with being forced to sit still. “He’s grateful to be alive. He really understands the impact of what could have happened with him,” Shoemaker said.
The chief said the department initially did not publicly announce that Muñoz had returned home to give him privacy and avoid renewed intense attention. He noted the community response has been overwhelming, from prayer lists to food and donations, and said the department has begun steering well‑wishers toward gift cards instead of large amounts of food. “He hates attention, but he understands that people want to help,” Shoemaker said. “It’s been a little chaotic, but he does appreciate it.”
Officer of the Year: Garcia recognized for crime‑fighting
Shoemaker also announced that Officer Gus Garcia has been named the department’s Officer of the Year, a program started about a dozen years ago under former Chief Troy Bacon. The award honors proactive police work and community impact.
“You can’t hold this guy back,” Shoemaker said of Garcia. “Gus Garcia is out there every night for his 12‑hour shift. When he’s working, he’s working.” He credited Garcia’s efforts with contributing to a recent decrease in crime in Frankfort.
Shoemaker said Garcia, a Frankfort native who began his law enforcement career with the Kokomo Police Department, was heavily recruited to return home. “We rolled the red carpet out and got him back,” Shoemaker said, adding that Garcia’s future with the department “is bright.”
Warm weather, youth mischief and SR 28 closure
With spring‑like temperatures and spring break approaching, Shoemaker said the department expects the usual seasonal uptick in juvenile mischief in parks and around town. He urged parents to stay engaged and teach respect for other people’s property. “If you’re not teaching the value of things, then we’re going to have to teach them in terms of arrest and enforcement, and that’s unfortunate,” he said.
Shoemaker noted that State Road 28 will be closed at the railroad tracks for about five days for needed repairs, which he expects will reroute more traffic — including semi‑trailers — onto city streets such as Clinton Street. “For five days it’s going to be a little chaotic,” he said, adding that officers have previously had to help trucks back out of dead‑ends during earlier closures. “I’m grateful it’s only five days, and the railroad tracks are already falling apart, so they need it fixed.”
New K‑9 Taz joins Frankfort PD
Shoemaker said the department recently brought on a new police dog, K‑9 Taz, after retiring another dog early because of behavior concerns. The previous dog was “a little bit too aggressive for my liking,” he said, emphasizing the department’s transparency about that decision. “We don’t want a bite that we don’t want,” Shoemaker said. “So we retired him; we actually traded it in for Taz.”
Frankfort’s K‑9s focus on drug detection, tracking and suspect apprehension, while other specialized dogs for explosives or electronics can be requested from neighboring agencies when needed. “For us, the main focus is drugs,” Shoemaker said, noting the continued role of K‑9s in addressing narcotics and tracking criminal suspects.
Technology, major cases and regional preparedness
The chief also reflected on how technology is changing criminal investigations, referencing high‑profile national cases and the Delphi murders in nearby Carroll County. He said home surveillance systems, phones and large tech companies now play a central role in obtaining evidence, but getting data through search warrants and subpoenas can be slow and costly.
“These things take time,” Shoemaker said. “We’re not in Hamilton County where you could have a hundred cop cars at a scene in five minutes. We have to be fully trained and ready, wear several hats, and those things take time.” He said local police, fire, schools and emergency management continue to plan together for major incidents and disasters, knowing mutual aid from surrounding communities will arrive but not in large numbers right away.
Storm spotter training, school safety on agenda
With severe weather season approaching, Shoemaker promoted upcoming storm spotter training being hosted by Clinton County Emergency Management at the Frankfort Police Department building. The session, led by Emergency Management Director Renee Crick, is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. and is open to residents who want to better understand what to look for when storms move into the area.
Shoemaker also noted that as the school year winds down, Frankfort’s school resource officers will rotate back to patrol over the summer months, boosting daytime staffing. He said the department works closely with schools, fire departments, the sheriff’s office and emergency management on school safety and disaster preparedness.
