Police Impersonator Arrested in Boone County

Lebanon, IN – A police impersonator was arrested on I-65 near Lebanon yesterday after being pulled over by the Indiana State Police. February 14th, 2017, at approximately 11:45 a.m. Trooper Luis Deffit was patrolling I-65 near the 136 mile marker when he saw a black SUV going 87 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone. The 2013 Honda was pulled over for speeding at the 135.7 mile marker on I-65 southbound. Keith Neher, the driver of the Honda, verbally identified himself to Deffit as a police officer and produced a badge as well as a police identification card. He told the trooper he was a reserve police officer.

Based on Neher’s behavior Trooper Deffit was suspicious of the possibility of him being a police officer. Further investigation determined Neher was a former police officer, however he resigned in 2013 and currently has no police powers. Three handguns were found inside the vehicle. The guns, along with the badge and police identification were taken as evidence. Neher was arrested and transported to the Boone County Jail.

This is an ongoing investigation, since an arrest was made any further inquires into the status of this case should be made to the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office. All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

The Indiana State Police would like to offer the following tips to help determine accurate identification of police officers;

• In the state of Indiana a police officer MUST either be in a marked police car, or in a police uniform to pull a car over.
• If you’re being stopped by an unmarked police car, or a car your unable to determine to be a police car, you should;
  • Activate your flashers to acknowledge the officer
  • Turn on your interior lights
  • Continue driving at or below the posted speed limit
  • Find a well lit, well populated area to stop
  • It is acceptable to call 911 and give your location if you’re unsure if the police officer is legitimate.

Police report suspected police impersonators to your local police or by calling 911.