Wednesday afternoon, August 27, 2025, the serene countryside of Decatur County, Indiana, was shattered by a violent confrontation that left one man dead and a community grappling with shock. At approximately 2:30 p.m., a high-stakes traffic stop on County Road 400 East, just north of County Road 300 North near Greensburg, escalated into a deadly officer-involved shooting, now under intense scrutiny by the Indiana State Police.
The incident began when two Decatur County Sheriff’s Deputies identified a vehicle linked to a recent criminal incident in neighboring Ripley County. With the suspect inside believed to be armed and wanted on an active arrest warrant for an unrelated matter, the deputies called for backup. A Greensburg Police Officer swiftly arrived to assist, setting the stage for a tense encounter. The vehicle, carrying two adult males and one adult female, was pulled over in a carefully orchestrated high-risk traffic stop designed to minimize danger.
As officers methodically instructed the occupants to exit the vehicle one by one, the situation took a perilous turn. The passenger, later identified as 39-year-old Travis Manlief of Greensburg, emerged from the vehicle brandishing a handgun. In a heart-stopping moment, Manlief allegedly pointed the weapon at the officers, prompting an immediate response. The two deputies and the Greensburg officer opened fire, striking Manlief, who collapsed to the ground.
In the chaotic aftermath, the officers acted swiftly to secure the scene, ensuring the safety of the vehicle’s other occupants and any nearby bystanders. With no injuries reported among the officers or civilians, attention turned to Manlief, who lay wounded with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. Despite the officers’ desperate attempts to render aid, paramedics pronounced Manlief deceased at the scene, a somber outcome that has left the tight-knit Greensburg community reeling.
What sets this incident apart is the presence of comprehensive video evidence. Each officer involved was equipped with activated body-worn cameras, and their patrol vehicles were fitted with in-car cameras, capturing the event from multiple angles. This footage, now a critical component of the ongoing investigation, promises to provide clarity in a case already fraught with questions.
The Indiana State Police, at the request of the Decatur County Sheriff, has taken the lead in investigating the shooting. Detectives from the Versailles Post are working diligently, supported by a coalition of local agencies, including the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, Greensburg Police Department, Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Decatur County EMS, Decatur County Coroner, and the Decatur County Prosecutor’s Office. Their mission is clear: to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances that led to this tragic loss of life.
As the investigation unfolds, details remain scarce, with authorities emphasizing that the information released thus far is preliminary and subject to further review. The community of Greensburg, a small town unaccustomed to such violence, awaits answers, grappling with the complex emotions of grief, fear, and the search for justice. For now, the quiet stretch of County Road 400 East stands as a stark reminder of a day when routine police work turned deadly, forever altering the lives of those involved.