JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ind. — A reserve sheriff’s deputy has died nearly 21 years after a crash left him with a traumatic brain injury, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
The incident occurred on June 7, 2004, when Jefferson County Deputy John C. Stahl lost control of his cruiser while responding to a suspicious vehicle call, according to the page. His vehicle rolled several times before catching on fire.
A passing driver pulled Stahl from the vehicle and he was airlifted to a hospital. He remained in a coma for weeks.
Since the incident, Stahl had suffered from a traumatic brain injury, causing a seizure disorder. He died on June 8, 2025.
Stahl, who served the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for 15 years, was a U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran, according to the page. He is survived by his wife and his sister.
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