Allen County Sheriff Troy Hershberger has accepted the resignation of Cpl. Ben Fries, a veteran officer who served the department for 15 years. This development occurred approximately one week after Sheriff Hershberger formally initiated proceedings to dismiss Fries, seeking his termination from the Allen County Sheriff Merit Board. The sheriff’s request to the board specifically cited Cpl. Fries’s alleged "unbecoming and immoral conduct" as the grounds for his proposed dismissal from the force.
The resignation of Cpl. Fries marks the conclusion of a period of scrutiny for the officer. The sheriff's decision to seek his firing was rooted in incidents and reported statements involving the veteran deputy. A significant event leading to these actions was a fatal shooting that took place in December 2024. During this incident, Cpl. Fries discharged his weapon, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old man from Huntertown. The individual involved in the shooting was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis at the time, according to information available. During the confrontation with law enforcement personnel, the man was noted to be armed with two handguns. The source material further indicates that during the standoff, the individual pointed one of these weapons directly at officers on the scene.
Following this critical incident in December 2024, Cpl. Fries reportedly engaged in conversations and made remarks concerning the shooting. These comments were shared with other officers within the department and, in some instances, with members of the public. Reports indicated that these particular remarks "seemed to speak lightly of shooting people," suggesting a perceived lack of appropriate gravity regarding the use of deadly force. Such comments reportedly contributed to the sheriff's decision to pursue disciplinary action.
The concerns regarding Cpl. Fries's conduct intensified earlier this week when additional comments attributed to him were brought to the attention of Sheriff Hershberger. Upon receiving reports of these new statements, Sheriff Hershberger then relayed this information to the Allen County Sheriff Merit Board. The merit board is responsible for overseeing disciplinary actions and employment decisions within the sheriff’s department, providing an independent review of such matters. The timing of these new reports, just prior to the accepted resignation, underscores the ongoing nature of the concerns.
Cpl. Ben Fries held several important and specialized roles during his tenure with the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. He was an active member of the department's elite SWAT team, a unit trained for high-risk operations. In addition to his specialized role, Cpl. Fries also served as a patrol supervisor, a position that typically involves overseeing the daily operations and conduct of other deputies on patrol.
Beyond his direct law enforcement duties, Cpl. Fries is also known to own and operate a consulting company. This private enterprise focuses on providing specialized training services. Specifically, the company offers instruction in firearms and protection. The clientele for these services includes various entities, such as churches, which seek to enhance their security measures, and individuals looking for personal protection and firearms proficiency training.
The deputy is also connected to a prominent local figure in Allen County. Cpl. Ben Fries is the son of Ken Fries. Ken Fries currently serves as an elected member of the Allen County Council, contributing to local governance and policy decisions. Before his current role on the county council, Ken Fries also held the position of Allen County Sheriff, a post previously occupied by his father. This family connection highlights a generational presence in Allen County law enforcement and local government.
The resignation means Cpl. Ben Fries is no longer employed by the Allen County Sheriff's Department, effective upon the sheriff's acceptance. The proceedings before the Allen County Sheriff Merit Board, initiated by Sheriff Hershberger's request for termination, are thus concluded without the board needing to issue a final ruling on the matter of his employment. The sheriff's acceptance of the resignation avoids a formal hearing by the merit board to consider the allegations of "unbecoming and immoral conduct" and the recommendation for firing.
This situation reflects the serious nature of conduct expectations within law enforcement agencies, particularly when an officer has been involved in a critical incident such as a fatal shooting. The reports of comments that "seemed to speak lightly of shooting people" raised significant concerns for the department's leadership and ultimately led to the sheriff's strong stance on disciplinary action. The subsequent resignation addresses these concerns and concludes Fries's 15-year career with the Allen County Sheriff's Department.
