More Details in Court Documents

Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Court documents offer details into Sunday's fatal shooting of a former Lake County sheriff's deputy near Marion.

Ethan Johns made his first court appearance Monday in Parker on a first-degree murder charge for the death of Turner County Deputy Chad Mechels.

March 31 was set as a preliminary hearing date.

According to an affidavit, Johns had been fighting with his girlfriend and a female caller to 911 asked that an officer check on Johns because he had a loaded gun and was suicidal.

Mechels responded and minutes later Johns called 911 and told the dispatcher he shot an officer.

Turner County Sheriff Byron Nogelmeier was called and found Mechels on the ground outside the farmhouse.

Court documents indicate Mechels was shot once in the right arm by a hunting rifle, then retreated to his SUV and was hit in the throat.

Mechels had previously worked law enforcement in Lake and Kingsbury counties before joining the Turner County Sheriff's Department last fall.

Funeral services are scheduled Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse.

The family will be present Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Weiland Funeral Chapel.