(La Porte, IN) - Police officers and a 911 dispatcher involved in the recent apprehension of a fleeing suspect in a fatal stabbing were recognized at Tuesday night’s meeting of the La Porte City Council.

 

Nikki Nixon, a La Porte County 911 dispatcher for 13 years, was especially singled out for her work in relaying police radio updates on the suspect’s location before and during a motor vehicle pursuit.

 

“Honest to God. She was so calm.  It was remarkable.  It sure helps,” said La Porte Police Chief Dick Buell.

 

Nixon seemed, obviously, humbled in her response.

 

“The officers made it pretty easy for me to do my job,” she said.

 

Francisco Camarillo, 29, is charged in last month’s fatal stabbing of his father, Valentin, at the home of his uncle on Lawndale Ave. on the city’s southeast side.

 

Information from a cell phone tracking app kept being shared by a family member of the suspect and victim with Nixon, who relayed the information each time to officers in their search for the man shortly after the early morning stabbing.

 

Eventually, officers near Stillwell caught up to Camarillo, who was pursued to South Bend before doubling back and captured in North Liberty.

 

Buell also thanked each of the officers involved in the stabbing investigation and pursuit.

 

“Each of them played a critical role in working as a team,” he said.