The couple suspected of shooting a Waterloo police officer this month traveled with zip ties, rope, knives, firearms, ammunition and a book called "The Antichrist."

Little is known about Ralph Hardiek, 41, who died in the early-morning hours Dec. 15 at the hands of police, and Julie Marie King, 33, who remains hospitalized after being shot along with Hardiek.

But the items in the car registered to King, listed in recently filed DeKalb County court documents, indicate the couple were armed and prepared for battle when one of them allegedly shot Waterloo Deputy Marshal Stephen Brady about 3 a.m. that day.

Brady, 47, a 13-year veteran of the force, remains hospitalized. The Associated Press reported Saturday that Brady had major surgery last week to repair damage to the roof of his mouth and his jaw, but his prognosis was good.

Waterloo Town Marshal Jay Oberholtzer said at the time Brady was aware of his surroundings but unable to speak because of a breathing tube. Oberholtzer could not be reached Tuesday to provide updated details on Brady's condition, and an Indiana State Police detective declined to give an updated condition report.

Hardiek and King apparently abandoned King's car north of Waterloo before walking into the northern DeKalb County town and encountering Brady, who was responding to a call about the suspicious behavior of the couple. Brady was shot once in the face.

The manhunt that ensued ended about three hours later, when Hardiek and King were found near the shooting scene hiding under a deck attached to a house. Hardiek was shot to death at the scene when he refused police commands and emerged from the deck pointing a gun at police, according to the state police.

A search warrant for the 1996 Dodge Neon registered to King lists an unspecified amount of .22-caliber cartridges found in the car, along with drug paraphernalia, four knives, two rifles and a revolver.

The warrant also lists a book called "The Antichrist," zip ties and nylon rope, a pair of gloves, cigarettes, binoculars and digital media, including memory sticks and a digital camera. On the camera, according to the search warrant, were photos of King and Hardiek with a sawed-off shotgun, taken the week before the shooting, and another of Hardiek the Monday before the shooting with a 4:12 a.m. timestamp.

Among the items was a prescription bottle for King with six Neurontin tablets. The drug is used to treat anxiety or seizures, according to the Food and Drug Administration, which also notes an increased risk of suicide or suicidal tendencies with use of the drug.

The camera also contained a video of Hardiek talking, but the warrant does not specify details of the video. State police Detective Kevin Smith declined to comment on the contents of the search warrant.

It is not clear to whom the firearms belonged. Neither Hardiek nor King is listed in the Indiana handgun permit registry as of June 2010; Indiana closed the record to the public in July 2010.

In any case, Hardiek's September conviction in Noble County for a felony count of manufacturing methamphetamine would have prohibited him from carrying a handgun legally.

aturner@jg.net