MORGAN COUNTY, Ind. — Two local first responders are continuing to make improvements in their recovery after they were injured in the line of duty.
On Jan. 20, 2024, Indiana State Trooper Azariah Keith was hit by a car while helping a driver with a flat tire. And just three days later, Morgan County Sheriff’s Deputy Mallory Schwab was shot in the shoulder during a welfare check.
People from across the country are continuing to show their support for Trooper Keith and Deputy Schwab. That includes one nonprofit in Florida, traveling to Indiana to present them each with a special grant.
“You don’t realize how much support you have until you go through this,” Deputy Schwab said.
Running 4 Heroes presented both Deputy Schwab and Trooper Keith with a $2,000 grant on Friday as part of the Injured First Responder Grant Program.
“I am very grateful,” Deputy Schwab said. “I didn’t expect this, just the amount of support and getting this, I am very grateful.”
Deputy Schwab was presented with her grant surrounded by her family and colleagues at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and Trooper Keith was awarded his grant at Eskenazi Hospital, where he is still recovering.
“To see the outpouring of support for these first responders that when they get a glimmer of hope it kind of uplifts our spirits with them and we are able to show them more appreciation and more support,” said David White, the secretary and treasurer with Running 4 Heroes. “When they are happy, it makes me even more happy.”
In the past few weeks, people from around the country have shown their love and support for these local heroes including from the West Coast.
“I received a quilt made by an organization in Oregon that they wanted Trooper Keith to have and they handmade it for him,” said Sgt. John Perrine with the Indiana State Police.
And that support continues from people in Florida.
“These two gentlemen traveled here from Florida to make sure our two first responders who were injured are honored and also offered them a donation that is significantly going to help their families get through this,” Sgt. Perrine said.
Both Deputy Schwab and Trooper Keith are grateful to see all of the support and already hoping to get back to work but what they need right now is rest.
“Now with his servant heart, he is ready to come back to work right now and he keeps asking every day when he is going to be able to work again,” Sgt. Perrine said. “We are not quite there yet but he is optimistic. The doctors are optimistic and he is in good spirits.”
“As much as I want to get back to work and in the line of duty, I think I need to slow down and make sure my shoulder is healing before I try to do anything,” Deputy Schwab said. “I just got to take it day by day. If it was up to me, if I could, I would get back tomorrow, but I need some time.”
Both Deputy Schwab and Trooper Keith are expected to make a full recovery.
