Owen County – Dominic Arthur was one of two teenage boys who fell through the ice at a rural rock quarry on Ramona Road in Owen County this past Sunday. He had participated in the Indiana Respect for Law Camp held on the campus of Vincennes University last June.
Boys and girls who take part in the ISP Respect for Law Camp are exposed to an academy type of environment and are expected to listen and learn through instruction given by ISP Troopers during their 4 day stay.
They also have a lot of fun while there.
Police scenarios, Bomb Squad & SWAT demonstrations, swimming, dodge ball and establishing lifelong relationships with campers and State Troopers are just a few of the things that keep the kids coming back.
ISP Corporal Chris Fears has been a counselor at the camp for several years and remembered Dominic fondly;
“He was a fun kid. He was kind of quiet, but when someone spoke to him, he always had ‘snappy’ and funny comeback. He was well liked by the kids at camp and I hear he was well liked at school”.
Corporal Fears told a story about Dominic and his daughter Lexi, ending up in a pushup contest with Sgt Tom Hannon of the Putnamville Post overseeing the dual. “They both did a bunch of them. I don’t remember who won, but I know it was close enough that Hannon finally told them both that it was over”.
Fears continued saying, “This is a very sad day for us. This was one of our own kids”.
Clark "Edward" Shoemaker, 17 of Spencer also died as a result of the tragedy.
The Indiana State Police wish to send their deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of both Dominic Arthur and Clark Shoemaker.
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PHOTO #1 Dominic Arthur (smiling)
PHOTO #2 Dominic Arthur (left) competing in a pushup competition
(Photos courtesy of ISP Respect for Law Camp)
