Rockville Police Officer recognized for compassionate act

ROCKVILLE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A Rockville Police Officer is being recognized after going above and beyond serving her community.

In May WTWO reported about a Rockville couple that was arrested and charged with the neglect of a dependent resulting in death.

18-year-old Ashlynn G. Casey and 24-year-old Jordan Washington are awaiting pretrial hearings after autopsy results showed their 3-month-old infant died as a result of malnutrition.

The Rockville Police Department assisted the Indiana State Police on the case.

“We do not have a lot of cases like this at all,” Rockville Police Officer, Hannah Gentile said. “It’s the first case I’ve ever worked with a deceased child. So it was definitely already kind of weighing on me. You always kind of feel like there’s more you can do with cases like this and you don’t just make arrests and then forget about it.”

A couple of weeks after the arrests, Officer Gentile took a call from the Vermillion County Coroner’s office stating that the body of the baby had not yet been claimed.

“I couldn’t stand the thought of her just sitting somewhere without a final resting place,” Gentile said.

So, she took it upon herself to ensure the baby would have a proper burial.

“I had reached out to the parents and that just wasn’t going well, we weren’t getting anywhere,” Gentile said. “So, I asked the courts.”

With a court order in hand, Gentile went to work.

“It took the help of a lot of citizens and businesses and the Rockville Police Department,” Gentile said.

Everything needed for the child’s burial was donated, including the casket, flowers, burial plot, and a headstone. Members of the community came together for a funeral and the infant was laid to rest in Memory Garden Cemetery.

Getile reflected on the baby’s short time on earth, “For the baby to have lived such a short life, without feeling love and nourishment and just the basic human needs and things that she should have been given.”

“It feels really good to work and live in a community like this, where everybody is willing to help out and help each other,” Gentile said.

Chief of Police, William McMichael echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the help of the community.

“Without the support of the community, we can’t be an effective police department,” McMichael said. “We’re just really proud to have her.”

Chief McMichael recognized Gentile for her efforts, presenting her with the Samaritan Award and the Honorable Service Award for her compassion and commitment to serving the community.

When asked if he’s ever had an officer get a court order to do something like this, McMichael said, “In my 24 years, this is the first time that I know of, that this department has done anything like that.”

“I think she’s definitely a trailblazer and setting the way,” McMichael added.

The emotional toll of such cases is not lost on Officer Gentile who said she becomes deeply invested in her work.

“I get emotionally invested in a lot of my cases,” Gentil said. “A lot of people might say ‘your heart is way too big for this job, but I think that actually makes me better equipped to do it,” she added.

McMichael said he hopes the community sees the other part of their job. “The humanity part that a lot of times people think ‘we’re going to take them to jail or write them a ticket’ but there’s another side to us that’s often not expressed and it’s kind of nice for somebody to get to see that.”

In a time where law enforcement often faces scrutiny, Officer Gentile’s example serves as a reminder of the impact that empathy and dedication can have and that in the heart of policing lies a deep commitment to the well-being of all.

“I care about the people that live here and I want to help them and I want them to be able to move on from whatever they’ve gone through,” Gentile said.

The parents of the baby remain in jail awaiting pre-trial hearings. Casey’s next appearance is scheduled for October 22 at 9:00 a.m. Washington’s is scheduled for pretrial conference on September 26, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.