A procession of police cars and the hearse carrying the body of a murdered police officer drove through downtown Terre Haute Wednesday evening. That officer was shot and killed outside the FBI office in that city just after 2 Wednesday afternoon.
The officer was Detective Greg Ferency, who had been on the force for 30 years. He was also assigned as part of the FBI Task Force.
It was unclear why he was murdered. An autopsy was expected to be conducted Thursday.
The person who police say shot and killed Ferency was in surgery Wednesday afternoon at a Terre Haute hospital. But, the Terre Haute Police Dept. was largely mum on what happened. The FBI was leading the investigation and after a meeting with state police, it was decided that there would be no news conference Wednesday night.
State Police Superintendent Doug Carter provided a brief statement, asking for prayers for Ferency’s family.
“I think what’s important right now is for the community here in Terre Haute and for the whole Wabash Valley to understand that this is the third Terre Haute police officer that’s been killed in the line of duty in a very violent way in the last ten years and, I think, four days,” said Carter, referring to the murder of Officer Rob Pitts, in May of 2018.
Carter said the FBI is handling the investigation because of the location of the shooting being near the FBI building.
“We appreciate the continued tremendous support all law enforcement receives locally from our community,” said Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse. “Please keep us and our families in your thoughts and prayers as we deal with this senseless tragedy. Knowing we are not alone in our grief really means a lot.”
Gov. Eric Holcomb called the shooting senseless.
“Our heart breaks for Det. Greg Ferency’s family, loved ones and those who served with him every day protecting the residents of the Wabash Valley,” he said. “I know they (the community) will be steadfast in honoring his life, service and dedication to the residents of Vigo County.”
It is possible that more information will be released by police today.
