POLICE SHOOTER, ROARK, SENTENCED TO 42 YEARS

ISP Trooper Seriously Injured

Madison, Indiana (November 30, 2021) A Madison man who fired shots at an Indiana State Police Officer, seriously injuring him, was sentenced yesterday in the Jefferson County Circuit Court by Judge DJ Mote.  Wade D. Roark, 61, had been found guilty on all charges by a jury trial that concluded October 29, 2021.

Roark was sentenced to 38 years to be fully served at the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) on count 1, Attempted Murder. He was also sentenced to 4 years on count 4, Criminal Recklessness.  Counts 1 and 4 will run consecutively for a total of 42 years executed at the IDOC. Although Roark was also found guilty on counts 2 and 3, they merge for double jeopardy purposes, and do not add any additional time. 

Jefferson County Prosecutor David R. Sutter thanked those that testified during the sentencing hearing, “It is always difficult for victims and their families to testify at these hearings.  I want to thank Trooper Livers and his wife, Dr. Amy Livers, for their testimony and sharing the struggles they have had since the incident.”   

Indiana State Police Officer Joseph Livers was shot in the left leg with the bullet lodging in his right knee during Roark’s standoff with police. Medical professionals said the bullet narrowly missed striking an artery. Livers underwent surgery and still suffers from pain and infection from the injury.

During her court testimony at sentencing, Dr. Amy Livers, who was 8 months pregnant at the time of the shooting, described her husband’s repeated surgeries and infections and continued risk of amputation of his leg.  

As he was sentenced, Roark made repeated outbursts in court. 

Following the sentencing hearing, Prosecutor Sutter again expressed appreciation for the professionals that worked on the case and the witnesses that testified during trial on behalf of the state.  “We again want to acknowledge lead Detective Brent Miller, Dr. Roy Miner, the ISP Swat Team, ISP Crime Scene Investigator Martin Mead, Deputy Ryan Harrison with the Switzerland County Sheriff's Department, ISP Hostage Negotiators, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, the City of Madison Police Department, and King's Daughters' Hospital Emergency Personnel,” said Sutter.

The incident began in the early morning hours of Nov. 23, 2019, when police were alerted to family members locked in an upstairs bedroom at 8273 East State Road 56 with a shooter, identified as Roark, in the basement. According to the probable cause affidavit, police were told Roark had a handgun and had fired into the upper level of the home.

When police arrived, Roark refused officers’ commands to exit the basement and threatened to kill a male subject along with unspecified Hispanic men. Roark said he believed the DEA and Mexican drug cartel were after him and told police he had been awake for three days. Toxicology results demonstrated that Roark had methamphetamine in his system at the time of the offense.

Roark fired his weapon multiple times with several rounds penetrating the first floor. After daybreak, he fired at Trooper Livers. ISP troopers returned fire and Roark surrendered shortly thereafter. He was then taken into custody.

“This was an extremely dangerous and volatile situation with many human lives in jeopardy,” said Prosecutor Sutter. “Justice was served today for Trooper Joseph Livers and his family. As always, we commend our law enforcement professionals, like Trooper Livers, who put their lives at risk for the safety and security of others on a daily basis.”