An Indiana police officer has been arrested following an off-duty incident involving a handgun.

Celebration Turns Concerning Outside the FOP

According to a press release shared by the Evansville Police Department, on April 25, 2025, an incident involving multiple off-duty police officers occurred in the 800 block of Court Street in downtown Evansville, outside the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

EPD says that on April 25th, an event was held at the FOP to celebrate several officers who had recently completed their mandatory probationary period (1 year of service) with the department.

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Officer Allegedly Brandished Gun at Fellow Officer

The report says that three officers who had completed their second shift work for the night arrived to join in the celebration, but found the FOP locked. While outside, the three second shift officers were approached by a group who had been in attendance at the event.

One of the members of that group was EPD Officer Anthony Stephenson, who was reportedly described as "highly intoxicated." The report says Stephenson was to get others to go to another bar to continue the revelry. As one of the second shift officers left, and while walking to his vehicle, Stephenson unholstered a non-department-issued firearm and pointed it at the other officer.

They say that after brandishing the weapon and pointing it at the other officer, Stephenson went and sat down in the backseat of another vehicle, where a witness demanded he turn over the weapon. It's reported that Stephenson later locked his firearm in his own vehicle before leaving the incident.

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Evansville Police Department via Facebook
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Surveillance and Witness Accounts Corroborate Incident

After leaving, the EPD says Stephenson made multiple phone calls to the other officers present at the scene of the incident. One of those calls was recorded, and in the recording, Stephenson "100 percent owns up to" the incident.

While the incident did not occur directly in front of any cameras, nearby surveillance video was able to corroborate witness statements. As a result, charges of Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon were filed, and a warrant was issued for Stephenson's arrest.

Stephenson Turns Himself In, Faces Criminal Charges

Once the probable cause affidavit was issued for the charges, his leave was adjusted to "unpaid administrative leave," and on Thursday, May 2, 2025, Stephenson, accompanied by his legal counsel, turned himself in to the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center.

Police Merit Commission to Decide Officer’s Fate

The Evansville Police Department says that the Police Merit Commission will vote to determine appropriate punishment for Stephenson, as well as whether or not he will continue his employment with EPD.

[SOURCE: EPD via Facebook]

25 Personalized License Plates Rejected by the Indiana BMV

Every year the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles sifts through applications for personalized license plates, and every year hundreds are rejected below are 25 of the more than 1,000 rejected license plates that the BMV received between January and December of 2023. You'll also find a link to the full list of rejected personalized license plates below.

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals