IMPD Sergeant Peter Fekkes Arrested on New OWI Allegation After Driving While Suspended Pending Termination

New arrest follows prior suspension tied to an earlier DUI case

An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) sergeant already suspended while the department pursued termination was arrested again in Hendricks County on allegations of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, raising renewed questions about accountability mechanisms when sworn officers face alcohol-related driving allegations.

The officer, Sgt. Peter Fekkes, was taken into custody after a late-night traffic stop in Hendricks County. The arrest occurred after a sheriff’s deputy reported observing the vehicle cross the center line. During the stop, Fekkes told the deputy he was eating and attributed the lane deviation to that activity.

What investigators documented during the Hendricks County stop

Authorities reported that Fekkes declined both a field sobriety test and an on-scene breath test. A subsequent blood draw measured his blood alcohol concentration at 0.249. Investigators also reported finding an open bottle of vodka on the floor of the vehicle.

The new case is separate from the matter that already had placed Fekkes on suspension pending termination. IMPD had previously suspended him following a 2022 arrest in Ohio connected to allegations of drunk driving. The Hendricks County arrest, occurring while he was already suspended, creates a second OWI-related case that may carry both criminal implications and department-level administrative consequences.

Why the “on-duty” element matters in police discipline and public trust

When a police employee is alleged to have driven while impaired in circumstances connected to duty status, the potential impact extends beyond the criminal case. Police agencies typically must evaluate fitness for duty, credibility concerns for court testimony, and whether internal policies were violated in ways that can independently support discipline.

• Criminal proceedings focus on whether prosecutors can prove the statutory elements of an OWI offense.

• Administrative reviews often apply a different standard and can consider policy violations even when a criminal case is pending.

• Repeated allegations can intensify scrutiny of supervision, early-warning systems, and the effectiveness of prior corrective measures.

All criminal allegations remain unproven unless established in court.

Next steps likely to unfold in parallel tracks

The Hendricks County case is expected to proceed through the court system, while IMPD’s internal process may continue on a separate timeline. Outcomes can range from acquittal to conviction in the criminal case, and from reinstatement to termination in the administrative process. In practice, these tracks can move independently, but both can shape how the officer may be used as a witness and whether he can remain employed in law enforcement.