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Owen County commissioners agree to sustain full pay for deputy wounded in shooting
Summary
Commissioners voted to cover the pay shortfall for Sergeant Detective Nathan Martin after he was shot; Martin currently receives 66% via workers' compensation and the board moved to make up the difference while drafting a formal policy.
Owen County commissioners voted during their regular meeting to ensure Sgt. Detective Nathan Martin receives his full paycheck after he was wounded in a recent shooting.
A commissioner told the board Martin was recovering at home and currently receiving 66% of his pay through workers' compensation. "I make a motion tonight that we, uh, sustain Officer Martin's full pay," the commissioner said, proposing the county make up the remainder while the county attorney drafts a formal policy. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Norm Warner and approved by voice vote.
Sheila, county financial staff, later confirmed standard workers' compensation payments and said the county attorney is preparing policy language so similar cases will be handled consistently in the future. Commissioners said the payment is intended as a short-term measure to avoid cutting pay in a traumatic situation for an officer and his family.
The decision does not itself change county pay rules; commissioners said they expect the county attorney to present proposed policy language for formal adoption at a later meeting. The board did not specify an exact funding source beyond the existing payroll and claims process.
