Martinsville Police Department

06/05/2026

06/04/2026

We need your assistance in identifying the female individual or vehicle depicted in the photographs below. If you have any information regarding the identity of this woman, please contact our department via Facebook Messenger or by calling dispatch at 765-342-5544 and requesting to speak with Sergeant Sipes.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated! This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional details are available at this time.

05/29/2026

Earlier this week, Chief Manley had the honor of presenting Officer Joseph Musgrove with the 2025 Officer of the Year award, at the City Council Meeting. Officer Musgrove came to the Martinsville Police Department in May of 2025 and made an immediate and obvious impact, earning this award within his first year! He has been in law enforcement accumulatively for six years, coming from Owen County Sheriff’s Department, and he is currently working on our B-Night shift rotation.

This award was created to highlight and recognize Officers within our department for exemplary service and dedication to the profession. Several things are considered when nominating and selecting an Officer. A few considerations would be: statistics, compliments and complaints, completed reports and cases, additional duties or responsibilities, and attitude towards the profession, community members, and shift mates. This award is extremely competitive and is all encompassing of what it means to be an outstanding Police Officer. Officer Joseph Musgrove does just that.

Sergeant Findley, B-Night Shift supervisor, stated this, “Its his(Officer Musgrove) overall work ethic and how he goes above and beyond on every case no matter how big or little. His constant professionalism and respect he gives to everyone he deals with even when approached with negative behavior. His willingness to help his shift partners without being asked and do whatever is needed of him. And he's incredibly intelligent when it comes to the law and how to apply it. Hes an outstanding police officer.”

If you see Officer Musgrove out and about this weekend, be sure to offer him congratulations on a job well done!

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to this country. Their sacrifice secured freedoms we often take for granted, and their courage will never be forgotten.

As law enforcement officers, we understand the weight of service, sacrifice, and the commitment to protect others no matter the cost. On this Memorial Day, we stand alongside our community in remembering the fallen heroes of our armed forces and the families who continue to carry their memory forward every day.

May we never forget those who answered the call with selflessness, bravery, and honor.

From Chief Ryan Manley and all of us here at the Martinsville Police Department, we thank our fallen service members, their families, and honor their legacy today and always. 🇺🇸

05/23/2026

05/23/2026

𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐂. 𝐇𝐞𝐞𝐠…

“La Porte County friends and neighbors, we are asking for our community to rise up, rally together, and lift Deputy Jon Samuelson and his family in prayer and support during this incredibly challenging time.

Now more than ever, we need our residents across the county to stand together in strength, faith, and support for one of our own. Deputy Samuelson has dedicated his life to serving and protecting this county, and we ask everyone now to stand beside him and his loved ones with prayer and solidarity.

Please keep Jon, his family, and the entire LCSO law enforcement community in your thoughts and prayers.”

05/23/2026

The Martinsville Police Department sends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. K9 Deputy Jon Samuelson was shot and is currently in critical condition. We ask our community to send all positive thoughts, prayers, and sympathies to their Department as they navigate this terrible tragedy.

Any updates to this incident can be found by clicking their page above or contacting ISP Lowell Post.

04/29/2026

We want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our Detectives Division along with the Morgan County Prosecutor’s Office and Morgan County Major Crimes Task Force. This was an extensive, emotional, and detailed investigation, in which Detective Sergeant Jerry Bertelsen put much time and effort into. We are very proud of the work that was done and continues to be done across our agencies as we work side by side to get justice for these victims.

Great Job Detective Sergeant Bertelsen!

Following a 7-day jury trial, Tyler Murtlow was found guilty of the following counts yesterday, April 28th, 2026 in Morgan Superior Court 3:

Count 1: Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony
Count 3: Possession of Child Po*******hy, Level 5 Felony
Count 4: Performance before a Minor that is Harmful to Minors, Level 6 Felony
Count 5: Performing Sexual Conduct in the Presence of A Minor, Level 6 Felony
Count 6: Performance before a Minor that is Harmful to Minors, Level 6 Felony
Count 7: Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony
Count 8: Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony
(Count 2, Not Guilty)

This case was tried by Chief Deputy Prosecutor, Cassie Mellady and Chief Trial Deputy Prosecutor, Michelle Armstrong. Detective Jerry Bertelsen of Martinsville Police Department was the lead investigator and was assisted by many other detectives and law enforcement though the Morgan County Major Crimes Task Force.

The Defendant's sentencing is scheduled for May 21, 2026.

04/25/2026

Congratulations to Patrol Officer Cole James on graduating the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. We’re so excited to have him back in our ranks!! Be sure to congratulate him if you see him around.

pictured left to right:
Officer Cole James, Chief Ryan Manley, and Deputy Chief Josh Brown