On February 1, 2006, Deputy Andy Early succumbed to injuries sustained 10 years earlier when he was involved in an automobile accident while on patrol.

On December 27, 1997, Deputy Early was westbound on Highway 54, just east of 54/19 intersection. When entering a curve, his patrol car slid on "black ice" sliding into a guard rail on the right side of the roadway spinning out of control, crossing the center line, impacting the ditch and overturning.

He was paralyzed from the neck down as a result of the accident and eventually died from a blood clot caused by his injuries as predicted by his doctors.

Deputy Early served with the department for 6 years. He was survived by his two daughters.