Andrew Roselius Obituary, Death; – On September 7, the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Illinois State Police, the Newton County Sheriff’s Department in Indiana, and the Kentland Police Department in Indiana, responded to a report of an alleged kidnapping in progress involving a vehicle operated by a suspect named Andrew Roselius, 37, from Ashkum, Illinois.
The suspect’s vehicle was located in rural Iroquois County, prompting law enforcement to attempt to initiate a traffic stop. However, the vehicle did not comply and proceeded from Iroquois County into Newton County, Indiana, before returning to Iroquois County, where it collided with another vehicle on a public road in the Village of Sheldon, Illinois.
Upon coming to a stop, the vehicle driven by Andrew Roselius was encircled by law enforcement officers. Reports indicated that Mr. Roselius was armed and in a suicidal state.
A standoff ensued between law enforcement and Mr. Roselius while he remained inside his vehicle. Despite multiple requests from law enforcement for him to show his hands and exit the vehicle, Mr. Roselius brandished a revolver and discharged a round, striking a Newton County Deputy in the head, resulting in critical injuries.
In response to the gunfire, an Iroquois County Deputy returned fire, hitting Mr. Roselius in the head. He was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. The Newton County Deputy succumbed to his injuries on September 11.
Following a comprehensive review of witness statements, body-camera and squad car footage, ballistic examinations, analyses from the Illinois State Crime Lab, and autopsy results, the Iroquois County State’s Attorney’s Office received all pertinent investigatory data. State’s Attorney Jim Devine determined that the use of lethal force against Andrew Roselius by law enforcement on September 1 was justified, and no further action will be pursued by the State’s Attorney’s Office.
