Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest for Impersonating an Officer on I-94
Portage – A traffic stop on westbound I-94 Tuesday afternoon resulted in the arrest of a man accused of impersonating a public servant after police discovered he was in possession of an unauthorized Gary Police Department badge.
According to the report, on August 26, 2025, around 2:21 p.m., an officer conducting interdiction patrol near mile marker 22 observed a white Chrysler 300 with a dark tinted plate cover that made the license plate unreadable. The officer initiated a stop at Exit 19 in Portage.
The driver, identified as Joe Franklin Jr., informed the officer that he had a firearm holstered on his hip. While retrieving his driver’s license, Franklin lifted his shirt, revealing the firearm and what appeared to be a police badge clipped beside it. The badge holder had “POLICE” embroidered across an elastic strap.
Franklin told the officer he worked “in Gary” and also performed security work at a government building in Michigan City. A records check showed Franklin had no warrants. However, Gary Police officials later confirmed Franklin had served as a reserve officer but left the department approximately seven years ago. He was not authorized to possess or display a Gary Police Department badge.
When confronted, Franklin initially denied having a badge and later produced a badge holder containing only a coin he claimed was from his security company. Officers searched the vehicle and located a Gary Police Reserve Officer badge (#4562) hidden between the driver’s seat and center console.
Police also seized Franklin’s Glock 19X 9mm handgun, which was fully loaded along with an extra magazine, totaling 36 rounds. Because the firearm was carried during the alleged impersonation, it was placed into evidence along with the recovered badge.
Franklin was taken into custody and transported to the Porter County Jail on a charge of Impersonation of a Public Servant, a Level 6 felony. His vehicle was impounded by Waffco Towing.
The Gary Police Department advised the badge would be retrieved and returned to their possession.
