NEWS

Slain IMPD Officer Kim Carmack called 'face of community policing'

Tim Evans
tim.evans@indystar.com
Officer Kimberlee Carmack of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was slain on April 17, 2014, by her ex-husband, IMPD Sgt. Ryan Anders, in a murder-suicide incident on Indianapolis’ Far Westside, according to IMPD. Carmack was a 20-year veteran of the department.

Slain Indianapolis police officer Kimberlee Carmack was described Saturday by a former supervisor as "the face of community policing on the Westside."

"She was extremely versatile and would take any assignment, in uniform or undercover," said former West District Chief Tim Horty, who supervised Carmack for about seven years from 2000 to 2007. "She worked undercover on narcotics and prostitution, but she also worked with youth programs at the Christamore House and other places."

Carmack, 45, was killed Thursday at her home on the Far Westside in what investigators are calling a murder-suicide that culminated a recent spate of domestic violence involving her ex-husband, IMPD Sgt. Ryan Anders. Police said Anders allegedly shot Carmack, then killed himself in the home the couple had shared in the 2400 block of Inishmore Court before they divorced.

Autopsies performed today confirmed what investigators suspected.

Carmack died from gunshot wounds to the head and chest. Her death was ruled a homicide, said Marion County Chief Deputy Coroner Alfie Ballew.

Ballew reported Anders died from an "intra-oral gunshot wound." His death was ruled a suicide.

A 20-year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Carmack exemplified the role of community policing, said Horty, who now works for the United State Attorney's Office.

"She could be a tough-minded officer but could also speak to community groups about crime prevention and provide assistance to crime victims," he said. "She was the face of community policing on the Westside."

Horty said he was shocked to learn of the murder-suicide.

"I just couldn't believe it," he said. "As a police officer, you respond to a fair amount of those types of cases. But I don't think you ever see yourself or one of your own as the victim in that kind of circumstance."

Indianapolis attorney Andre Arnett, who represented Carmack in her divorce from Anders last year, said he was caught off guard by the allegations of domestic violence and the still-unexplained outburst that ended the lives or Carmack and Anders. He said he was not aware of any domestic violence allegations and said Carmack never sought a protective order during the divorce proceedings.

"That was a shock to me," he said. "It was a typical divorce. We never even stepped foot in a courtroom. Everything was worked out during negotiations."

The couple's divorce was finalized in October.

Despite their divorce, IMPD Chief Rick Hite said Anders and Carmack were at the center of a domestic-violence investigation that began on March 12, after the agency received an internal tip. Both police officers had been on administrative leave since, and their department-issued weapons had been taken as part of the investigation. A protective order was issued against Anders on March 31.

Hite said Carmack had been assigned a domestic violence advocate and had been given a safe place to go. Anders was given counseling and help with mental-health issues. The police chief added that investigators checked in with both officers daily, both verbally and physically.

"We had concerns about both of them," Hite said. "They were counseled. They were given directions, and we also were made aware of his (Anders') whereabouts."

On Thursday, Hite said police believed Carmack was still safe, but she decided to go back to the Inishmore Court house. Anders, who was on a monitoring device, went to the house using someone else's car, one that police were not able to track.

He went inside through the back patio door and fired multiple shots at Carmack before fatally shooting himself, Hite said.

Public Safety Director Troy Riggs said someone had called for a welfare check at the home in the 2400 block of Inishmore Court in the Country Club Place subdivision, north of 21st Street and about half a mile east of Country Club Road.

Before SWAT officers went inside, police learned that a neighbor heard gunshots earlier that day, Riggs said. Police are unsure how long the couple had been dead before they were found at about 5:40 p.m.

Call Star reporter Tim Evans at (317) 444-6204. Follow him on Twitter: @starwatchtim