(Michigan City, IN) - The suspect in the shooting of a La Porte County Police officer made his initial court appearance this morning.
Sharod Grafton, 22, of Chicago revealed plans to hire private counsel to represent him in the case. He’s charged with attempted murder, battery and auto theft. He appeared before a judge on video from the Porter County Jail where he’s being held on $100,000 cash bond.
A hearing was set in two weeks for a judge to decide whether to change the amount of his bail. A number of law enforcement officers were present in a Michigan City courtroom for the proceedings.
Officer Jon Samuelson is improving but he’s facing what looks to be a long recovery. He comes from a family of police officers, including his great grandfather, Thomas Ciecka, who was a police officer in La Porte.
Ironically, Ciecka died from injuries suffered in the line of duty. He was hit by a motor vehicle while directing traffic and later fell victim to a blood clot blamed on the collision in the early 60’s.
His grandson, Greg Samuelson, a longtime La Porte school teacher, said his nephew was among the members of his family to see Ciecka’s name in 2015 added to the names of other fallen officers in Washington D.C.
He said his nephew wanted to become a police officer ever since he was a child.
“He loves his job. He loves protecting people. He’s a super great human being,” he said.
Officer Samuelson’s father, Doug, and grandfather, Gene, were also police officers locally. His brother, Joshua, is currently a police officer in downstate Zionsville.
