Johnson County Sheriff's Office Trains Deputies in PIT Maneuver to End Chases Safely

The department aims to have all road deputies certified in the Precision Immobilization Technique to conclude pursuits without injury.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 5:39pm

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The Johnson County Sheriff's Office in Indiana has been training its deputies on the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) to safely end high-speed chases. The PIT maneuver involves a deputy tapping the rear fender of the fleeing vehicle, causing it to spin 180 degrees and come to a stop. This was the first successful PIT maneuver carried out by a Johnson County deputy, who used it to end a pursuit on U.S. 31 south of Franklin in January 2026. While the PIT went as planned, the driver then attempted suicide by slashing his own neck, requiring immediate medical attention from the officers on the scene.

Why it matters

Vehicle pursuits can be extremely dangerous for both law enforcement and the public, often leading to injuries or fatalities. By training deputies in the PIT maneuver, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office aims to end chases quickly and safely, reducing the risk of harm. This approach also highlights the importance of comprehensive training for officers to handle a variety of high-stress situations, including providing emergency medical care.

The details

During the January 16th chase on U.S. 31, the driver refused to pull over despite being hit by stop sticks and having multiple police departments, including Franklin, Whiteland, Princess Lakes, and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, in pursuit. It was a Johnson County deputy who executed the PIT maneuver, causing the vehicle to spin 180 degrees and come to a stop. While the PIT went according to plan, the driver then slashed his own neck, requiring the officers on the scene to provide immediate medical attention to stop the bleeding until an ambulance arrived.

  • The chase occurred on January 16, 2026.
  • Two years ago, the Johnson County Sheriff decided that every deputy would be trained in the PIT maneuver.
  • Out of 40 road deputies, 16 so far have gone through the one-day intensive hands-on PIT maneuver training course.

The players

Major Andy Fisher

Major at the Johnson County Sheriff's Office who oversees the deputies on the road.

Matthew Kegeris

Whiteland Police officer who was on the scene and trained in handling medical emergencies.

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What they’re saying

“Vehicle pursuits are continuing – we decided we can stop that pursuit safely.”

— Major Andy Fisher, Major at the Johnson County Sheriff's Office (fox59.com)

“We had the vehicle pursuits and pursued those individuals for long periods of time, and we haven't been able to end them in the past — we can now end them quickly and safely.”

— Major Andy Fisher, Major at the Johnson County Sheriff's Office (fox59.com)

“Once we made sure he wasn't armed with any weapons, we rendered aid. Training kicks in, you see the bleeding, you stop the bleeding, that's what we did.”

— Matthew Kegeris, Whiteland Police officer (fox59.com)

What’s next

The driver in the chase is still being treated at a local Indianapolis Hospital for the self-inflicted neck injury. He has not been charged with a crime.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of comprehensive training for law enforcement officers, not only in techniques like the PIT maneuver to safely end high-speed chases, but also in providing emergency medical care when needed. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office's proactive approach to equipping its deputies with these critical skills can serve as a model for other departments seeking to improve public safety and officer well-being.