Patrolman Jeffrey Brady Westerfield, a 19-year veteran of the Gary Police Department, was ambushed and shot to death while seated in his patrol car in the 2600 block of Van Buren Street in the early morning hours of July 6, 2014 — his 47th birthday. A concerned citizen found him at about 5:50 a.m. and called 911. Responding officers discovered multiple shell casings outside the vehicle.

Investigators say Westerfield had responded earlier that night to reports of an altercation involving a man identified as Carl Le’Ellis Blount and his ex-girlfriend. Authorities focused their investigation on Blount, then 28, who was on probation and had an outstanding warrant. Prosecutors said the motive was Blount’s fear of being arrested; he intentionally shot Westerfield to avoid apprehension. Three people were taken into custody the day after the shooting.

Carl Le’Ellis Blount was charged with Westerfield’s murder and ultimately pleaded guilty under a deal to avoid the death penalty; the plea included prosecutors’ agreement not to pursue other charges against him. Did anyone in the Gary area have information about Blount’s movements around Van Buren Street on the night of July 5–6, 2014?