A 28-year-veteran of the Fort Wayne Police Department and his wife have won $1 million playing the Hoosier Lottery.
Jack and Debra Woodruff, both lifelong city residents, matched the first five numbers, but not the Megaball, in the July 1 Mega Millions drawing, according to a statement from the Hoosier Lottery.
When the couple went to claim their winnings Thursday in Indianapolis, they thought their ticket was worth $250,000. But lottery officials explained that they had won $1 million because Debra had increased their winnings from $250,000 to $1 million by by spending an extra dollar to add the Megaplier.
“I’m numb,” Debra, an investigator with Adult Protective Services, told lottery officials. “It’s almost surreal, like you’re watching someone else’s life.”
The Woodruffs, who have four children and three grandchildren, told lottery officials they already had plans to retire in the not-too-distant future, but after winning $1 million, they have to decide how much longer they want to keep working. For the time being, they plan to go on a cruise.
“The freedom is the best thing,” Jack said.
The couple bought their winning ticket at Thorntons at 12001 N. U.S. 31 in Edinburgh while vacationing in southern Indiana.
A message left at their home was not returned Friday evening.
