LAPORTE COUNTY — A multi-agency manhunt that stretched across LaPorte County Friday morning ended with the suspect found dead in a cornfield after an Indiana State Police sergeant was shot multiple times during a violent encounter.

According to Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield, the incident began at approximately 5:30 a.m. when Indiana State Troopers joined Berrien County, Michigan authorities in pursuing a stolen vehicle that had crossed into Indiana on Interstate 94.

During the pursuit, police say the suspect, later identified as Kevin W. Meyers, 54, of LaPorte, fired multiple rounds from a rifle and pointed the weapon at pursuing officers. The chase continued off the interstate onto local roads, where Meyers temporarily escaped.

A short time later, an Indiana State Trooper located the suspect’s silver 2019 Ford F-150 near Interstate 94 and U.S. 421. While following the truck, a collision occurred between the suspect’s vehicle and the trooper’s patrol car.

Police say Meyers then opened fire from inside the pickup truck, striking both the patrol vehicle and the trooper multiple times before fleeing the area.

Responding troopers quickly rescued the wounded officer, loading him into a police vehicle and rushing him to Franciscan Health Michigan City for emergency treatment. A large scale manhunt involving numerous law enforcement agencies was immediately launched.

At approximately 9:16 a.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit located the suspect’s abandoned Ford F-150 hidden in a tree line in the 7500 block of Joliet Road in rural LaPorte County.

As officers moved in to search the area, gunfire was heard coming from a nearby cornfield. Authorities said no officers were struck. Tactical teams established a perimeter and searched the field, where Meyers was later found deceased with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.

The LaPorte County Coroner pronounced Meyers dead at the scene. An autopsy is scheduled for 7 a.m. Saturday, July 11.

The injured trooper has been identified as Sgt. Justin Heflin, a 12-year veteran of the Indiana State Police and a United States Marine Corps service member.

Sgt. Heflin sustained multiple gunshot wounds. After receiving emergency treatment at Franciscan Health Michigan City, he was transferred to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, where he underwent successful surgery. Indiana State Police said he is in stable condition and is surrounded by his family.

Indiana State Police credited the many local, county, state and federal agencies that assisted during the lengthy manhunt, along with the Lake County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit for locating the suspect’s vehicle. Officials also thanked Speedway Corporation and The Harley Davidson Shop of Michigan City for their cooperation during the investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing.

All facts are preliminary, and the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death remain under investigation.