ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. — Allen County Sheriff Troy Hershberger is seeking the dismissal of Cpl. Benjamin “Ben” Fries following an internal investigation into several alleged comments involving officer-involved shootings, deadly force and police ammunition.
Hershberger filed formal disciplinary charges with the Allen County Sheriff Merit Board on September 28, 2026, requesting that Fries be dismissed from the department following a fair and public hearing.
The petition identifies four separate incidents involving comments Fries allegedly made between 2025 and August 2026. Multiple coworkers reportedly raised concerns about the statements, according to the disciplinary filing.
Fries has worked for the Allen County Sheriff’s Department since 2011 and currently serves as a patrol supervisor and member of the department’s SWAT team. He was selected for the SWAT team in 2021 and was promoted to corporal later that year.
Fries is the son of Ken Fries, a current member of the Allen County Council who previously served as Allen County sheriff.
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December 2024 Officer-Involved Shooting
The disciplinary allegations come after Fries was involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting in Huntertown, Indiana, on December 17, 2024.
According to the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, deputies initially responded to the 2700 block of Ascension Court after receiving a report involving an armed person experiencing a mental health crisis.
Authorities said the man exited the residence armed with a firearm before returning inside. Later, shortly before 4 p.m., he reportedly exited again while armed, and Fries discharged his department-issued firearm.
The man, identified in subsequent reporting as 51-year-old Jeffrey Stoppenhagen, was struck and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The Indiana State Police investigated the shooting, and the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office subsequently determined that Fries’ use of deadly force was legally justified.
The disciplinary action currently pending against Fries does not challenge the prosecutor’s determination that the December 2024 shooting was justified. Instead, the sheriff’s petition focuses on statements Fries allegedly made afterward.
Count 1: Comment About New Glock
The first disciplinary count stems from an August 13, 2026, on-duty lunch involving Fries, approximately 10 other officers and a restaurant employee.
According to the petition, Fries allegedly stated:
“I haven’t shot anyone with my new Glock, yet.”
Six of the 10 officers reportedly confirmed hearing the comment, according to reporting based on the disciplinary filing.
One corporal reportedly became uncomfortable enough to leave the table, while another officer submitted a complaint to the department’s Internal Affairs division.
During the subsequent investigation, Fries reportedly acknowledged making the statement and characterized it as “shop talk” and a joke. According to the petition, he also agreed that the conversation was not appropriate to have in public or in general.
The petition additionally raised concerns about how such a statement could potentially be viewed if Fries were involved in another shooting.
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Count 2: Alleged SWAT Training Comment
The second count involves a conversation following a SWAT training operation in May 2026.
According to the petition, Fries allegedly told other members of the team:
“Come to second shift if you want to get into a shooting, and you’ll get some time off.”
Another SWAT member reportedly questioned why anyone would want to shoot someone.
Fries allegedly responded, “Who doesn’t,” while referring to newer members of the team.
The conversation was subsequently reported.
According to the disciplinary filing, the reporting officer was particularly concerned because several newer employees were present and Fries served in a supervisory position.
During the investigation, Fries reportedly said he did not remember making the statement as alleged. He indicated that he may instead have warned officers to be careful if they moved to second shift because shootings occurred during that shift.
Count 3: Alleged Comment Following Officer-Involved Shootings
The third count concerns a dinner held during a SWAT training conference in 2025.
According to the petition, Fries was speaking with another corporal who had previously been involved in an officer-involved shooting.
Fries allegedly told the corporal:
“At least I killed my guy.”
The other corporal reportedly interpreted the statement as treating the two officer-involved shootings as a competition and became upset enough to leave the dinner.
The incident was later reported to SWAT command.
During the internal investigation, Fries reportedly said he did not remember the dinner or making the statement. According to the filing, Fries said he would not have made such a comment but acknowledged that he did not remember the conversation.
Count 4: National Night Out Ammunition Discussion
The fourth count involves comments Fries allegedly made during a department-sponsored National Night Out event in August 2026.
According to the petition, Fries discussed different types of ammunition with members of the public, including adults and children.
He allegedly described which types of ammunition could pass through a person and which could “tumble inside a person.”
The filing further alleges that Fries described previously seeing a bullet enter an individual and ultimately travel into the person’s groin.
The wife and mother of another officer reportedly overheard portions of the discussion and raised concerns.
Fries reportedly told investigators that he did not specifically remember making the alleged comments but acknowledged that a conversation about different types of ammunition occurred.
The sheriff’s petition argues that the nature of the discussion was inconsistent with the community-relations purpose of National Night Out.
Sheriff Raises Concerns About Conduct and Department Liability
Hershberger’s petition characterizes the alleged statements as potentially unbecoming and immoral conduct and raises concerns about the impact the comments could have on the department.
The sheriff is asking the Merit Board to dismiss Fries following a public hearing.
The petition states that the request is based on the alleged statements regarding violence, potential future liability to the department and concerns reported by multiple coworkers.
The Allen County Sheriff’s Department subsequently confirmed that formal disciplinary charges had been filed and emphasized that the allegations remain unresolved.
According to the department, the matter remains pending before the Merit Board and no final determination has been made.
Fries’ Response
Fries has not publicly provided a detailed response to the disciplinary action.
According to WANE 15’s reporting, Fries said his attorney advised him not to speak publicly about the matter.
During the department’s internal investigation, however, Fries reportedly provided responses to each of the allegations.
Regarding the August 13 Glock comment, Fries reportedly acknowledged making the statement but described it as “shop talk” and a joke.
Regarding the remaining incidents, Fries reportedly either denied remembering the specific statements or said he could not remember whether he made them.
The allegations contained in the sheriff’s petition have not yet resulted in a final disciplinary determination by the Merit Board.
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How the Allen County Sheriff Merit Board Works
The Allen County Sheriff Merit Board is responsible for significant personnel decisions involving merit deputies, including hiring, termination, demotion and serious disciplinary actions.
The board consists of five members:
- Three members appointed by the sheriff.
- Two members elected by a majority vote of the department’s merit deputies.
The board operates under Indiana law and reviews serious disciplinary matters involving merit officers who are not probationary employees.
The filing of disciplinary charges does not itself terminate Fries’ employment. The Merit Board must consider the allegations and Fries must be provided an opportunity to defend himself before a final determination is made.
Current Status
As of October 6, 2026:
- Sheriff Troy Hershberger has formally requested that Cpl. Ben Fries be dismissed from the Allen County Sheriff’s Department.
- Four disciplinary counts involving alleged statements by Fries have been submitted to the Allen County Sheriff Merit Board.
- The Sheriff’s Department has stated that the allegations remain pending before the Merit Board.
- No final determination regarding Fries’ employment has been announced.
- No public hearing date was identified in publicly available information reviewed by CopTalkLIVE as of October 6.
Fries will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations during the Merit Board process before a final disciplinary decision is reached.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Cpl. Ben Fries been fired?
No final termination decision has been announced. Sheriff Troy Hershberger has requested Fries’ dismissal, but the matter remains pending before the Allen County Sheriff Merit Board.
Was Fries previously involved in a fatal police shooting?
Yes. Fries fatally shot Jeffrey Stoppenhagen during a December 17, 2024, armed standoff in Huntertown. The Indiana State Police investigated the incident, and the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office subsequently determined that Fries’ use of force was legally justified.
Is the sheriff challenging the legality of the 2024 shooting?
No. The disciplinary petition concerns statements Fries allegedly made following the shooting and during other department-related interactions. The prior finding that the December 2024 shooting was justified has not been reversed or challenged in the disciplinary filing.
Did Fries admit making the alleged comments?
Fries reportedly acknowledged making the August 2026 comment about his new Glock but characterized it as a joke and “shop talk.” For the other allegations, he reportedly told investigators that he either did not remember making the statements or could not specifically recall the conversations.
Who decides whether Fries will be terminated?
The five-member Allen County Sheriff Merit Board has authority over termination and serious disciplinary actions involving merit deputies. The sheriff has requested dismissal, but the Merit Board must determine the outcome following the disciplinary process.
Has a hearing date been scheduled?
As of October 6, 2026, no hearing date was identified in publicly available information reviewed by CopTalkLIVE.
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