RELEASE OF OFFENDER JASON R. COZMANOFF
(IDOC #245271)

Jason R. Cozmanoff, 47, was released today (12/07/2017) from the Pendleton Correctional Facility in Pendleton after serving his sentence in the line of duty death on March 6, 2012 of Corrections Officer Britney R. Meux of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.

Cozmanoff, of Lakes of the Four Seasons, was found guilty on December 11, 2013 after an eight-day trial by a jury who deliberated for four hours. A June 2013 trial ended in a mistrial when a jury pool member revealed that he witnessed the accident. On February 7, 2014, Lake Superior Judge Salvador Vasquez sentenced Cozmanoff to 12½ years in prison for reckless homicide, three counts of criminal recklessness, failure to stop after accident causing death and reckless driving.

Corrections Officer Meux, 25, was struck and killed instantly on 93rd Avenue west of Main Street in Crown Point. She and three other officers were jogging at the end of their shift along the northern perimeter of the Lake County Government Complex when they were struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Cozmanoff, who fled the scene and surrendered the following day. Corrections Officers Latasha Johnson, David Murchek and Delano Scaife were also injured in the incident.

Meux had served with the department for over three years and was a United States Marine Corps veteran. She was survived by her 5-month-old daughter, life partner, mother, father and four sisters. She is the first known female African-American law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in the state of Indiana and is the second female of the 52 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Lake County.

There are currently 26 offenders awaiting trial or serving their sentences for their involvement in the line of duty deaths of 25 Indiana law enforcement officers.

Originally sent to our subscribers on December 7, 2017.  Sign up for email/text notifications here.