Bisard Found Guilty on All Nine Counts

Suspended Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer David Bisard is guilty on all nine counts for a drunk driving crash that killed one man and injured two others.

A jury in Fort Wayne announced the verdict Tuesday afternoon.

"While we are pleased by the jury’s verdict, we should never forget that there is no reason to celebrate today. The events of August 6, 2010, are without question a tragedy for all involved," said Marion County Prosecutor, Terry Curry.   "We take no pleasure in prosecuting a police officer, and it certainly should never be suggested that Officer Bisard is an evil person.  However, all of us – whether a police officer, attorney, teacher, or otherwise – must accept responsibility for our actions.  The message of the jury’s verdict is that Officer Bisard must accept such responsibility and be held accountable for his actions on that day.”

In August, 2010 Bisard drank and drove his police car hitting and killing Eric Wells and injuring two other motorcyclists.

"That's something we prayed very hard for, for three years - to be able to walk out of this courthouse with a little bit of peace in our hearts and in our minds that justice has been served," said Wells' father, Aaron.

Bisard will be sentenced November 26.

"Finally, after all this time, all we asked for was justice and I feel as though today we finally got it," said Mary Mills, who was injured in the crash.  "With everything that has happened, it still came through as a guilty verdict for all nine and that is what I was looking for and hoping for."

Indianapolis city leadership also weighed in on the verdict.

Mayor Greg Ballard:

“Today’s verdict undoubtedly provides a sense of justice and closure to this sad ordeal. I pray the many people whose lives were impacted by this episode find peace moving forward and our city and its police department never forget the lessons to be gleaned from it.”

IMPD Chief Rick Hite:

“It has been a long and difficult three years for the victims in this case and for our city.  We hope that today’s verdict provides some level of closure for those that have been affected. IMPD learned many lessons through this incident, and as a result, we have made policy changes commensurate with the new direction of the department.  Because of these changes we are a better police department.  We want to thank the community and the hard-working members of the IMPD for their patience.  We will continue to move forward, to pray for those victimized in this incident and hope they find a measure of peace in the future.”

Department of Public Safety Director Troy Riggs:

“First and foremost, we will continue to keep all those families affected by this incident in our thoughts and prayers, and hope this verdict will help as they seek peace. IMPD is not represented by those that stray from what is right, but rather by the 1,500 courageous men and women who work tirelessly every day to protect their neighbors and their community. We appreciate the work and effort put forth by the court and by the prosecutor in this case.”