Pike County – Earlier this week, Michael Woodland, 37, of Petersburg, was sentenced to 15 years in the Indiana Department of Correction for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Class B Felony.

The criminal charges stem from the police action shooting that occurred Monday night, July 23, 2012, in Petersburg. Moments before the shooting, a 911 call was received regarding a domestic disturbance at 1012 Trafzer Street. Within minutes, Petersburg Police Officer Chad Tharp arrived and started to approach the residence when Woodland exited from the front door carrying a semi-automatic rifle. Officer Tharp ordered Woodland to drop his weapon, which he had pointed toward the ground. Woodland failed to comply and started to raise the rifle toward the officer. Tharp fired his service weapon striking Woodland. He was later released from Deaconess Hospital and was jailed for a parole violation. Corporal Tharp was not injured during this incident.

After reviewing the Indiana State Police investigation, Pike County Prosecutor Darrin McDonald filed a criminal charge of possessing a firearm while being a serious violent felon against Woodland. Woodland pled guilty and accepted a plea agreement. Due to time already served, he will serve 14 years and 69 days.