Sheriff Salvatore Navarra was killed in a single-vehicle accident during a vehicle pursuit over four miles east of Clarksburg.

   As the pursuit reached speeds nearing 110 mph, Sheriff Navarra's vehicle flipped over as he took a curve. He was ejected through the windshield before being crushed by the squad car. A special deputy who was riding with Sheriff Navarra was injured in the accident but survived.

   The 18-year-old suspect was being pursued at the request of his parole officer for gasoline theft. When he was apprehended a week later hiding in the attic of his grandparents' home, he threatened authorities with a hunting knife.

   He was later sentenced to one year for resisting arrest to be served concurrently with four-month terms each for reckless driving, driving without a license and failure to obey a police officer.

   Sheriff Navarra, a Democrat from Greensburg, was in the third year of his four-year term in office as the 40th sheriff of Decatur County. He was survived by his wife, son, father and brother.