In the nearly five-month span from Nov. 8, 2003 to March 24, 2004, one Ball State student was killed by a university police officer, one Ball State student was robbed and murdered by Muncie residents and Ball State began the "Police Yourself" campaign, a controversial advertising campaign among students that led to multiple protests.
The period during and after these events was one of intense turmoil, where students felt unsafe and violated, police officers felt embattled, Muncie residents felt stereotyped and university administrators felt they had to assure everyone that Ball State was a safe place to be. You've had a chance to explore the events following Michael McKinney's death in detail, now we'll explore the significant events in 2004 that created one of the most difficult times in Ball State's history.
Karl Harford - "A homicide with really no reason." - Muncie Police Chief Joe Winkle - March 10, 2004
Ball State sophomore Karl Harford was shot and killed in the early morning hours of March 7, 2004. The 20-year-old student had been at a house party at 1010 W. Abbott St., when he offered to drive three men home from the party. Upon arriving at their destination the three men robbed Harford, taking $2 in cash from him and then one of the men shot Harford once in the head, killing him. One or more of the men then drove Harford's car and his body to an alley behind 1923 E. Hines Road and then left the scene. Only five months removed from the shooting death of Michael McKinney, Harford's murder added to the uneasiness, confusion and fear surrounding Ball State. The following is a list of significant events following Harford's death.
2004
March 9 - Muncie resident Brandon Patterson, 18, was arrested at 7:15 p.m. and charged with murder and armed robbery in the Karl Harford case. Muncie police also charge a 14-year-old male accomplice with assisting a criminal. Police believe a third suspect is involved.
March 10 - Police don't know killer's motive and discovering Harford was robbed of $2 in cash before he was shot in the head.
"They committed a homicide with really no reason," Muncie Police Chief Joe Winkle said.
March 22 - The third suspect, 22-year-old Damien Blaine Sanders, is arrested at a Days Inn motel in Indianapolis.
March 26 - Karl Harford's toxicology reports say that he had not done drugs the night he was killed, but his blood alcohol count was 0.16, twice the legal limit.
May 11 - The now 15-year-old juvenile has his murder charges dismissed, but will face two counts of theft as a minor.
2005
Feb. 1 - Sanders pleads guilty to murder and armed robbery. Sanders said he shot Harford after the robbery and a struggle, but he and the other two men involved had only intended to rob him.
March 4 - Sanders is sentenced to 85 years in prison, including consecutive sentences of 65 years for murder and 20 years for armed robbery.
May 16 - Patterson pleads guilty to armed robbery resulting in bodily injury.
May 23 - The first ever Karl T. Harford Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship Fund is given out. Tom and Livia Harford created the $3,000 scholarship in memory of their son.
June 27 - Patterson is sentenced to 50 years in prison.
"Police Yourself, or face severe consequences." - Douglas McConkey, former vice president of student affairs - March 25, 2004
Two alcohol-related deaths in such a short time period led Ball State to begin a short-lived and controversial advertising campaign aimed at informing students on the consequences they can face when they drink illegally and irresponsibly. The "Police Yourself" campaign coincided with increased efforts by Muncie and Ball State police to crackdown on off-campus parties and consumption by minors. Residents in the neighborhoods east of campus had been complaining for years about the increased noise, vandalism and trash due to the number of student parties, Dave Fried, director of student rights and community standards, said in an e-mail.
"The deaths of two students seemed to have been the last straw," Fried said.
Although the campaign did not change any official Ball State rules or regulations, the campaign clearly was designed to prevent excessive partying and illegal alcohol-related activities.
The campaign divided students, between those who supported the university's message and those who thought the university was acting like an overzealous parent, McConkey said. The campaign sparked a lot of response and debate, including multiple forums and protests.
December 2003 - Ball State announces it will increase police patrols on weekend nights and "will begin sending students cited or arrested by Muncie Police through the same discipline process faced by students cited or arrested by university police." - (Source: Ball State Newscenter)
2004
March 24 - Ball State begins the "Police Yourself" advertising campaign following the Muncie Police Department's announced "crackdown" on house parties near campus.
McConkey said the intent of the advertising was to repackage rules, regulations and safety tips into a dramatic campaign that would grab students' attention. (Jan. 20, 2008)
March 25 - The first advertisement has a picture of a student in handcuffs. The advertisement warns students they could be ticketed, arrested, fined, placed on probation, suspended or expelled.
April 3 - Police give 87 students citations for underage drinking at a Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity house party following a fundraiser.
April 6 - More than 175 students attend an open forum on the university's "Police Yourself" campaign. Students had the chance to ask questions and give concerns to Ball State and Muncie officials regarding the campaign.
April 12 - About 200 students held a protest at Shafer Tower and then marched down McKinley to the administration building and then to the university police station. The students wanted officials to answer questions and consider student input regarding the "Police Yourself" campaign.
April 28 - Director of Public Saferty Gene Burton said tensions are running higher than normal between students and office.
"We don't expect trust to be developed overnight," Burton said. "We just have to do the job the way it's supposed to be done and provide services to all the university community."
May 16 - Police Yourself is being phased out less than two months after it began. Officials said the campaign was effective in grabbing students' attention, but the tagline came with unwanted negative connotations.
Aug. 19 - Ball State stops using the "Police Yourself" slogan, but the university and police said they will continue to remind students of the consequences of underage drinking.
Aug. 27 - In an effort to curb illegal alcohol activities, officials announced plans to double Late Nite events.
March 4, 2005 - The university begins a new, less intense alcohol awareness program, "Alcohol and You," which is still in place today and can be found at bsu.edu/alcoholawareness. The most current university tagline is "Your Choices, Your Future."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
