GREENVILLE—On the heels of a double homicide that occurred last week in Darke County, many citizens have raised concerns regarding violent crime in the area.
Darke County had a reported three homicides in 2021, two in 2022 and two so far in 2023.
Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker said he understands there is often a perception, especially on the heels of a homicide, or violent activity, that things are bad.
However, he said these are not the first homicides the county has seen.
“When I was Detective Sergeant back in the early 2000’s, we had homicides,” he said. “Sometimes they got spread out and sometimes they got stacked on top of eachother.”
Sheriff Whittaker referenced the Myers double homicide, which occured in March 2003, and the Pingleton murder that occurred December of that same year.
“After that, we had an isolated [homicides] here and there, but we did go for quite a few years where we didnt have any,” Sheriff Whittaker said. “In the last three years, we’ve been having what appear to be two a year. Of course, I wish that didn’t happen.”
All 11 homicides that were reported in Darke County since 2021 were domestic-related.
Sheriff Whittaker said it’s been a very long time, if ever, that a stranger has come to town and harmed someone.
“In the last few years, they have been family, household or someone known,” he said. “In this last year, Cory Fleming was associated with his alleged killers, and they even kind of lived together. He was known to the suspects and lived there. They all have a connection.”
He reiterated that if it looks like things are bad, he gets it.
“In nine months we’ve had four homicide victims, and three homicide investigations,” he said. “In a short period of time, that makes it look like, ‘Oh my gosh. What is going on?'”
However, there is no ‘boogeyman’ to fear, he said.
“Our homicides involve domestic-related issues that have risen to the level of murder, with alcohol and drugs also fueling the problem,” Sheriff Whittaker said.
The Darke County Sheriff’s Office annual report is available to the public at www.darkecountysheriff.org. The report provides statistical information about the Darke County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone who may have information on cases pending are encouraged to contact the Darke County Sheriff’s Office at 937-548-2020.
