Visit the "Christmas For Kids" Selection on our Main Menu for Details!

     During the Christmas holidays, our Trooper Pat Bartram Memorial “Christmas for Kids” Program – our version of Shop With A Cop – was held.   Approximately 128 families were provided Wal-Mart shopping cards to purchase new clothing and new toys as they shopped with uniformed officers throughout the state.    Each child in the family was allotted a $100 gift card with a $400 family limit.   At least one-half of the gift card was to be used for new clothing, coats, boots, gloves, etc., while the remainder could be used for toys, games, books, etc.  

            We truly thank the all the Indiana State Police Post Commanders, Public Information Officers, and Chaplains and the 2007 participating Essay Contest schools for submitting the deserving family names.  Most of all, we thank our troopers who gave of their time to meet with the families and assist with the shopping selections.

In accordance with the By-Laws of the Indiana Troopers Association, the association will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at 1:00pm. The meeting will be held at the Hampton Inn, 2920 S. Reed Road (US31), Kokomo, Indiana. The Board of Directors will hold their quarterly business meeting beginning at 9am, followed by a group luncheon. Invited guests for the luncheon are the spouses of the board members and area retirees.

On the agenda for the meeting is the election of two new board members whose terms are up at the end of 2007: Area II Director David Lloyd (Districts 21-22-23-25) and Area V Director Charles Boller (Districts 51-52-53). Boller was selected to serve the remainder of Patricia Warczynski's term when she became President. Letters have been sent to all 2007 members seeking nominations for these areas. Both Lloyd and Boller have expressed a desire to continue serving in their present capacities if no other nominations are received.

All 2007 members are cordially invited to join the Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting and hear the great plans the association has in store for the coming year. For more information, contact the Corporate Office at 800-671-9851.

The Pioneers of the Indiana State Police met for their Annual Meeting on September 8, 2007. After a fun day of golf, the members settled into their business session. Supt. Whitesell was present to address the group regarding changes within the Department. Also, attending was Major Phil Parker, Commander of Human Resources, who provided financial updates for the group.

In other business, new officers were elected. They are: President Marty Talbert; VP-Bob Conley; Treasurer-Robert Kirk and Secretary Karen Downey. Directors elected are: Bob Conley (elected to a 3 yr. term); Leon Griffith and Marty Stephens.

If you were unable to attend the meeting but would like to have a current copy of the Pioneer Roster, please send a $2.00 check for shipping and handling to the Pioneer Office, 1415 Shelby Street, Indianapolis, IN 46203.

10-0 RETIRED ISP TROOPER KEITH CLEVENGER, PE662

Keith J. Clevenger, 76, of Orland, Indiana died Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. He served as an Indiana State Police Officer from 1955 until his retirement in 1975. Following his ISP retirement, he was a Probation Officer for LaGrange County. He was an US Air Force Veteran of the Korean War. He leaves two daughters and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services will be held on Saturday, August 25th at 10:00am at Frurip-May Funeral Home in LaGrange. Calling will be held at the funeral home on Friday, August 24th from 2-4 and 6-8pm with a Masonic service at 7:30pm. Memorials are to the Shriner's Hospital for Children or the American Diabetes Association.

Alice Faye Kellems, 74, died August 18, 2007, in Indianapolis. She was the widow of ISP Trooper William R. Kellems, who was killed in the line of duty on September 30, 1957. After his death, she received a secretarial position with the ISP and became a 43-year Head Personnel & Training Secretary, fulfilling her husband's ISP mission. She retired in 2000. She was a recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash Award and a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Services will be at 1pm Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at Jones Family Mortuary, Mooresville, with calling there from 4 to 8pm on Tuesday and one hour before the services. Burial will be in West Newton Cemetery, West Newton, Indiana.

PIONEERS OF THE INDIANA STATE POLICE ANNUAL MEETING - SEPT. 8, 2007

Salt Creek Golf Retreat in Brown County will again be the location for the Annual Meeting of the ISP Pioneers. The meeting will be held on Saturday, September 8th, followed by a group dinner at 6:45pm. A golf outing is planned from Friday, September 7th, beginning with a Shotgun Start at noon. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Retreat and the cut-off date for the lodging is August 24, 2007, while reservations for the dinner must be made by August 27th.

The purpose of the Pioneers is to foster and promote fellowship, activity and continued friendship among those who have served the Indiana State Police and those who have retired with 20 or more years of accredited service for persion purposes. There are three types of membership: Active: Retired employee with 20 or more years of service; Associate: Current employee with 20 or more years of service; and, Honorary Membership: Surviving spouse of an active or associate member.

This year the members who were hired in 1957 will be honored. Anyone wishing to bring memorabilia to share is welcome to do so.

For additional information, contact Kelley at 1415 Shelby Street, Indianapolis, IN - 800-382-1104.

Posted August 9, 2007
9TH ANNUAL RICHARD T. GASTON MEMORIAL FISHING TOURNAMENT

On Saturday, September 22, 2007 at the Brookville Reservoir in Brookville, Indiana, the 9th Annual Walleye & Catfish Fishing Contest will be held. The event honors the memory of ISP Trooper Richard T. Gaston, who was killed in the line of duty on March 4, 1999.

Check-in at 7:30am at Mounds Beach; weigh-in: 3:00pm. Early Check-In: Friday - 4-6pm at Parkside Marine.

Gaston attended Brookville High School, where he graduated in 1988. After a stint in the US Marine Corps., he attended IUPU in Indianapolis and worked in security at the Children's Musuem. In 1998, shortly after his daughter, Jeanie, was born, he was accepted into the ISP Recruit Academy - fulfilling a life-long dream of becoming a law enforcement officer. Just three months after being sworn in as a Trooper, he was killed in the line of duty.

Richard loved to fish and there was nothing he would rather do than cast for walleye on Brookville Reservoir. In searching for a way to pay tribute to his life and to give back to the community he loved so much, the family decided upon a fishing tournament. The funds raised from this tourament go to the Richard T. Gaston Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards at least five $2,000 scholarships each year to seniors graduating from his high school alma mater. Thus far, over 42 college-bound freshmen have been supported with a total of $82,000. Recipients are chosen based mostly upon answers to an essay question. High school transcripts are not asked for, just proof that the student has been accepted to a technical or trades school, college or university. The scholarship founders do not believe that grades are the best way to measure someone's desire to reach their goals in life.

2007 payouts for the tournament are as follows: (based on a full field of 100 boats) Walleye Tournament: (Total Team Prize): 1st place: Crestliner Board, Mercury Motor & Trailer: 2nd through 10th places range from $500 to $100. Catfish Tournament: 1st Place: $200; 2nd place: $100; 3rd place: $75; 4th place: $50; and 5th place: $25.

For more information about the tournament call: 765-647-4619 or 317-873-1663; or, visit the web: atgaston@yahoo.com or www.gastontournament.com

Posted August 6, 2007
RETIRED ISP CHIEF RADIO ENGINEER - J.M. (JAKE) SPADE - PASSES AWAY

One of the Pioneers of the Indiana State Police Communications Department has died. J.M. "Jake " Spade, who served the Department from 5/19/37 until 1/29/58, died in Indianapolis on Friday, 8/3/07, at the age of 92. Spade honored the Indiana Troopers Association in 2003 by allowing us to tell his story in the "Where Are They Now" column of Winter-Spring issue of The Trooper Magazine.

At that time, Spade shared with his pride in having the distinctive honor of being "the father of the microwave system." He closed his interview with the ITA by stating that God had been good to his family and that he has had a pleasant career. He offered advice to officers currently serving challenging them to "serve with integrity and to always remember that they are employees of the citizens of Indiana."

After his tenure with the ISP, he continued to use his communications skills as Supervisor of Communication Equipment for the Indianapolis Power & Light Company, retiring there in 1979. He also served as the first president of the Indiana State Police Pioneer group.

He leaves his wife of 70 years, Thelma; a son, Thomas; three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, as well as a host of law enforcement friends.

Calling is Monday, 8/6/07 from 5 to 8pm at Singleton Community Mortuary and Memorial Center. Services will be at the mortuary on Tuesday at 1pm. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. Memorials are suggested to Juvenile Diabetes, Greenwood Village South Pavilion, or Indiana Heart Physicians.

Posted August 3, 2007
10-0 - RETIRED STATE POLICE MCI OFFICER - DONALD E. RUMPEL, PE655

Donald E. Rumpel passed away on Tuesday, July 31, 2007. He retired from the Indiana State Police in 1980 after 25 years of service. He was a member of the Motor Carrier Inspector Division and was a member of the ITA. He later retired from Clark Memorial Hospital as a security guard after 19 years of service. He leaves his wife of 53 years, Norma, as well as four daughters, three brothers, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 11am to 8pm on Friday and after 9am on Saturday at the Chapman Funeral Home in Clarksville with funeral services held there on Saturday at 11am. Burial will be in the Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Jeffersonville. Expessions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to the Ohio Falls United Methodist Church where Mr. Rumpel was an active member.

Posted July 26, 2007
TEXAS TROOPERS THANK WABASH FOR HONORING THEIR TROOPER

(The following letter was received by the Wabash Plain Dealer newspaper from two Texas Troopers who attended the funeral services for Master Trooper David Rich. The letter was provided to us courtesy the newspaper and we thought our readers would like to read what others say about our Hoosier Hospitality - even in times of tragedy.)

An urgent plea is being made by the Indiana State Police to all who drive on our highways to MOVE OVER OR SLOW DOWN when approaching emergency vehicles. Over a 44 hour period beginning Tuesday afternoon, 4 Indiana State Police officers have been involved in accidents where truckers have struck their ISP commissions. Three of the four troopers involved in the accidents were injured with one remaining in serious condition in an Indianapolis hospital.

The string of accidents began on Tuesday afternoon near Washington, Indiana when Trooper Gavin Wilson was sitting in his cruiser on US 50 and was struck by a semi tractor-trailer rig. The impact sent the police vehicle into the violator's vehicle injuring Trooper Wilson and 5 people in the other vehicle.

On Wednesday morning along I-465 in Indianapolis, Trooper Henry "Hank" Kalina was seriously injured when he was standing on the passenger side of a vehicle he had stopped for a traffic violation. The vehicle was struck by a passing box truck resulting in Kalina being airlifted from the scene with injuries to his hips and legs. The occupants of the car were also slightly injured.

Later on Tuesday, on US 41 near Evansville, Trooper Jason Allen was stopped with a violator when his vehicle was sideswiped by a semi tractor-trailer rig. Allen was uninjured in the accident.

On Thursday morning in Monroe County near Bloomington, Master Trooper Jon Patrick was moving to the passing lane to comply with the Move Over Law as he approached the site where Sgt. Rusty Garrison h ad a vehicle stopped. His commission was struck in the rear by a 2002 Ford F350 flatbed truck. A passenger in Patrick's vehicle, Master Trooper Kurt Feather was taken to Bloomington Hospital for treatment.

Motorists are reminded that a violation of the Move Over Law is a Class A Infraction and carries a maximum fine of $10,000 and could also result in a driver's license suspension of between 90 days and one year if a violation results in property damage. A suspension of between 180 days and two years can be imposed if a violations results in injury to a person and if a violation results in the death of any person, a two-year driver's license suspension can be imposed.

REMEMBER: MOVE OVER - SLOW DOWN - IT'S THE LAW !!!

The largest class of recruits graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, July 6, 2007. Members of the 67th Recruit Class have now reported to their first assignments at State Police Posts across Indiana.

After completing approximately 840 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques since they began their training on January 26th, they are now working with their Field Training Officers (FTO's) for the next 90 days. In addition, the new officers received 80 hours of criminal law instruction, 50 hours of vehicle operations training, 30 hours of psychology and 40 hours of "survival Spanish", as well as training in criminal investigation, vehicle crash investigation and impaired driver prevention and detection.

At Family Day, Supt. Paul Whitesell, PhD, told the class and their families that he had "hand-picked each and every one of them...and that for the last few months, he had held them in the palm of his hand." Whitesell then told the class that after the receive their badge at graduation, they would hold the lives of many people in the palms of their hands. A tall order for these young men and women who came from all walks of life. At graduation, Whitesell told the class, "During the Academy, these cadets have been equipped with the skills and knowledge required to be a trooper; now it is time to put those skills to work for the people of Indiana."

Also addressing the class was Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, while Chief Judge John G. Baker of the Indiana Court of Appeals, administered the Oath of Office to the recruits.

The following Districts received the new Probationary Troopers: District 13-Lowell - 11; District 14-Lafayette - 10; District 16-Peru - 5; District 21-Toll Road - 14; District 24-Bremen - 6; District 25-Redkey - 5; District 32-Terre Haute - 6; District 33-Bloomington - 5; District 34-Jasper - 6; District 35-Evansville - 6; District 41-Connersville - 6; Distsrict 42-Versailles - 5; District 43-Seymour - 6; District 45-Sellersburg - 6; District 51-Pendleton - 6; District 52-Indianapolis - 12; and District 53-Putnamville - 6.

Newly sworn officers look forward to a future with the Indiana State Police and are a part of the Governor's initiative to return the State Police to full capacity.

The Indiana Troopers Association presented each new recruit with an information packet and a complimentary 2007 membership. We wish each of them a long and successful career with Indiana's finest.

ITA Mourns Loss of Master Trooper David Edward Rich

Once again the Indiana State Police family will gather to say good-bye to one of their fellow officers. Master Trooper Dave Rich, PE#5398, was killed in the line of duty on Thursday afternoon, July 5, 2007, as he stopped to assist what appeared to be a stranded motorist along US24 near Wabash, Indiana. Rich was on his way home from the Peru State Police Post when he first stopped to assist a woman who was stranded. He then traveled about a mile down the road and came upon a second vehicle on the side of the road and stopped to offer his assistance there. As he approached the vehicle, he was shot as he approached the driver's side of the SUV. The driver of the vehicle reloaded and killed himself after shooting Rich.

An ITA member for a number of years, Dave was a well-known and well-liked trooper who treasured his family and loved his job. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it.

Rich came from a law-enforcement family as his father is Retired ISP Officer Jack Rich, who also served as Sheriff of Miami County. His brother, is Indiana State Police Captain Bob Rich. He also leaves another brother, Robert J. and his wife, Kathy; a sister, Kimberly Larson of Carmel; 3 nieces and a nephew.

Rich was born on April 8, 1966 in Peru, Indiana to Jack and Linda Rich. He graduated from North Miami High School in 1984 and attended Wabash Friends Church and was a member of Mexico Masonic Lodge, Wabash FOP, ISP Alliance and the Indiana Troopers Association.

He married Connie Cloud on March 28, 1998 in Wabash, Indiana. They were the proud parents of three children: Lauren, age 7 and twin 4-year old sons, Carson & Connor. His family was his life and he coached Wabash YMCA T-ball and Soccer.

Funeral services will be held at the Honeywell Center Gymnasium, 275 W. Market Street in Wabash on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 beginning at 11:00am with burial following in Friends Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8pm on Tuesday, July 10th at theGrandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash.

Preferred memorials are to the Children of Trooper David Rich Memorial Fund, c/o First Merchants Bank, 1250 N. Cass Street, Wabash, IN 46992. You may sign Memorial Guests Books at the Officer Down Memorial Website or at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com

COPS Riding For C.O.P.S. 2007 Ride Completed

On Saturday, June 30th, the 2007 Cops Cycling For COPS Ride ended at Crown Hill Cemetary's Circle of Heroes Section in Indianapolis where former Team Leader Lt. Gary Dudley is laid to rest among other law enforcement officers from around the state who have given their lives in the line of duty. Dudley and his fellow team member, Retired Lake County Deputy Gary Martin were killed during the 2006 ride. The day before, the team made an emotional stop as they paused at the Vermillion County site where the two officers died when a truck pushed their support vehicle in the group of 2006 team members. The team were guests of the Indiana Troopers Association on Monday, June 25th as they passed through Angola on their 1,000-plus mile trek around the perimeter of our state. We are grateful for this team of dedicated cyclists as they toured our state to meet with survivors of fellow law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacriface and to let them know their loved ones will never be forgotten.

George M. Bradford, Retired ISP Lieutenant Died In Mooresville

Remembered as an avid pistol shooter and a member of the Indiana State Police Pistol Team, Lt. Bradford, died on June 29, 2007 at his home in Mooresville. He joined the ISP in 1949 and retired after serving 20 years. After his retirement, he was employed at the State and Marion County Welfare Department as an investigator, retiring again in 1984. He was a recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash presented by Governor Robert Orr.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mildred; two daughters; four grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

Thank you for your years of service to our state, Lt. Bradford.

10th ANNUAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION GOLF OUTING

The Annual Golf Event will be held on Friday, August 3, 2007 at the Rocky Ridge Golf Course. To sign up or to get additional information, please contact Larry Turner, ISP Criminal Investigation Division, IGCN, 100 N. Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, or call at 317-232-4338 or 317-232-5843 (Brenda).

    After a career that spanned 34 years, Indiana State Police Colonel Larry Rollins, has retired from the Department.   Rollins, PE2565, who served as Assistant to the Superintendent, joined the ISP on January 28, 1973 and retired on June 22, 2007 to pursue other career interests.  Rollins has been a wonderful friend to the Indiana Troopers Association and we wish him well in his new endeavors.

Major Weigand Promoted to Assistant Superintendent

    ISP Supt. Paul Whitesell, Ph.D. has announced the promotion of Major Richard S. Weigand to Colonel, and to serve as Assistant Superintendent of the Indiana State Police.

    Col. Weigand graduated from Rising Sun High School and from Vincennes University.  He is a 27-yr. veteran of the ISP, graduating from Recruit School in 1980.  He was assigned to the Redkey District, where he climbed through the ranks from Trooper to District Commander.

    In 2002, he was promoted to Captain and was Asst. Commander of the Human Resources Division until 2004, when he was promoted to Major, most recently serving as Commander of the Training Division until his promotion to Colonel.

    Weigand and his wife, Renee, have resided in Winchester, Indiana for 27 yrs. and have two children, Joel and Jessica.

Tuesday – May 22, 2007

            The Indiana Troopers Association in cooperation with The Indiana Toll  Road Management is placing Memorial Gardens honoring the two Indiana State Police Officers – Master Trooper David A. Deuter and Trooper Richard T. Gaston who were killed in the line of duty on the Indiana Toll  Road.

            The Dedication of the Memorial Gardens is being held in conjunction with the Annual District 21-Toll Road Memorial Service on Tuesday, May 22, 2007.  You are cordially invited to attend all services as follows:

11:00am – Indiana State Police Toll Road Annual Memorial Service

District 21-Toll Road Post

5301 F.J. Nimtz Parkway

South Bend, Indiana

(Luncheon to follow)

Memorial Garden Dedication Ceremonies:

Trooper Richard T. Gaston

1:30pm – George N. Craig Travel Plaza – Elkhart County

 Mile Marker 90 – Eastbound – Indiana Toll Road

Master Trooper David A. Deuter

3:00pm – Gene Stratton Porter Travel Plaza – LaGrange County

Mile Marker 126 – Eastbound - Indiana Toll Road

The memorials were planned to honor the memory of these two fine officers who gave their lives in the line of duty on the Indiana Toll Road.

M/Trp. Deuter was killed in 1998 and Trp. Gaston in 1999

It is hoped that visitors to these memorial areas will pause to remember these officers and their families, as well as all officers who are dedicated to service to others.

Please plan to join us for any or all of the services

Honoring these fine officers

Please RSVP for Luncheon by May 18, 2007

To:  Indiana Troopers Association

800-671-9851

Following is the 2007 District Memorial Schedule:

  •  May 2 – Wednesday         Sellersburg District 45        11:00am

  •  May 3 – Thursday             Pendleton District 51          12 Noon

  •  May 9 – Wednesday         Versailles District 42          11:00am

  •  May 10 – Thursday           Jasper District 34                11:00am

  •  May 16 – Wednesday       Seymour District 43            11:00am

  •  May 17 – Thursday           Connersville District 41       11:00am

  •  May 18 – Friday                Fort Wayne District 22       11:00am

  •  May 21 – Monday             Headquarters                     11:00am

  •  May 22 – Tuesday            Toll Road District 21           11:00am

  •  May 23 – Wednesday       Lafayette District 14           11:00am

  •  May 30 – Wednesday        Lowell District 13              11:00am

    Sgt. Barry Black stated in a 2001 "Where Are They Now" article in the Trooper Magazine, "I do not regret one minute of the 30+ years I spend with the ISP...the quality of people in the ISP is second to none."

    Sgt. Black passed away on Monday, April 14, 2007, after a short battle with cancer.   He was 66.

    A longtime friend of the ITA, Black began his ISP career on 1/16/59 and retired on 2/11/91.   His career began as a maintenance man at the Ligonier Post at the age of 18, followed by a period of time as an Operations Clerk at the Angola Post.  When he turned 21 years of age, he applied for the ISP Recruit School and was accepted.  The rest is ISP history.

    Following his retirement he flew for Biomet in his hometown of Warsaw until his officially second retirement in 1999.   Always fascinated by butterflies and carving, he spent many enjoyable hours in his retirement years carving life-like butterflies out of barn board.   He carved over 3,000 butterflies in retirement, one of which proudly adorns a shelf in the ITA Corporate Office.

    Calling for Barry Black will be on Wednesday, 4/18/07 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, 902 College Avenue, Winona Lake, Indiana.  Funeral services will be held at the church on Thursday, 4/19/07 at 10am. 
Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

    After 34 years of service to the Indiana State Police, William "Bill" Runyon, PE2566, has retired.  A Retirement Dinner in his honor will be held on Friday, May 11, 2007 at the Landing Catering, 2801 S Michigan St., South Bend, Indiana.  The social hour will begin at 6pm, with dinner following at 7pm (EST). 

    The cost of this event if $22.00 per person, which includes dinner and gift.   To make reservations or for more information, contact Cassie, District 21 Secretary at 800-421-4912 no later than May 4th.

    Congratulations to Retiree Donald Bosc of Terre Haute.  His lucky ticket from drawn in the ITA Rifle Raffle drawing held today at the ITA Corporate Office.

    Executive Director Ernie Alder drew the winning ticket and later called Mr. Bosc to share the good news with him.

    The 25th Anniversary Commemorative Rifle will be presented to Mr. Bosc at the next meeting of the ITA Board of Directors on April 28th at the ISP Youth Services & Historical Center.

    Our thanks to all the retirees who participated in the raffle.

    Vivienne Sheley Smith, PE897, the first woman to wear the Indiana State Police uniform, has passed away
in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Ms. Smith retired from District 22-Ft. Wayne as a Secretary.   She leaves her husband, Retired Trooper Donald G. Smith, PE829. 

    In 1957, Sheley made Indiana State Police history when then Supt. Harold S. Zeis made the decision to have the first lady employee of the Fort Wayne Post in uniform.  He designed a flattering uniform that conformed closely to the trooper's apparel.

    She later married Trooper Don Smith and retired from the state police in 1963 to raise their family.  In later years, she served as Pastor of Christian Counseling for Broadway Christian Church in Ft. Wayne.

    Services for Vivienne Sheley Smith will be held on Friday, April 13th at 10am at the Broadway Christian Church,
910 Broadway Street, Ft. Wayne with calling one hour prior to the service.

    Calling will also be held on Thursday, April 12th from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 9pm at D.O. McComb and Sons, Lakeside Park, Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Avenue Fort Wayne. 

    Burial will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, New Haven.

    The official reading of Senate and House Concurrent Resolution 31 renaming the portion of State Road 63 in Vermillion County after Lt. Gary Dudley and Special Deputy Gary Martin will be held on Monday, April 16, 2007.

    Any person wishing to be present when Resolution 31 is read is asked to arrive on the Senate side (3rd Floor-West side) of the Indiana State House no later than 1pm. 

    Once the Resolution has been read in the Senate, all will proceed over the Indiana House for a reading during their afternoon session. 

    Please anticipate some wait time as everything will be working off the Legislative schedule for the afternoon.  Since they would like to plan on an approximate number of attendees, please let Indiana C.O.P.S. know if you plan to attend. 

    Gary Martin and Gary Dudley were killed in the line of duty on August 22, 2006 while participating in the Cops Cycling for Indiana COPS fund and awareness raising bicycle ride.  Their support truck was struck from behind forcing the truck into three of the cyclists participating in the ride.  Retired Indianapolis PD Lt. Spencer Moore and Support Truck Driver Rocky Bumpas were also injured in the crash.

    If you plan to attend, please respond to:  Niki Crawford at rncraw4d@yahoo.com.

    The Brown County Inn in Nashville, Indiana will be the setting for a Retirement Dinner honoring Major Ed Reuter.  The event will be held on Monday, April 30, 2007.

    Social hour will begin at 6pm, followed by dinner at 7pm.  The cost is $20.00 per person.  RSVP required; cash will be accepted at the door.  Send payment to:  Betty Parrott/CVED no later than Friday, April 27, 2007.  Checks should be made payable to CVED Division Fund.  For more information contact Betty at 317-615-7420 or MW 890-7420.

    Spring is on the way and the golf clubs are coming out of the closet.   The Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division is again hosting their annual golf outing.

    The date is Friday, June 1, 2007 at the Rocky Ridge Golf Course, 625 E, Crawfordsville, Indiana. 

    The Florida Scramble (Best Ball) will begin at 9:30am with registration from 8:45 to 9:30.  Cost is $45 per person, which includes green fees, cart, meal, soft drinks, water and prizes.

    Bring your own team or they will place you on a team.  To sign up or for more information, contact Betty Parrott at the CVED:  317-615-7420 or MW890-7420.  Checks payable to Ms. Parrott or pay by cash.

Posted March 8, 2007

    Indiana Troopers Association Board Member for Area IV, Sgt.Noel W. Houze, Jr. of Versailles has been named Indiana State Director of the American Association of State Troopers (AAST).

    In this position, Houze will be responsible for implementing and promoting the policies and program of the AAST.  The State Board of Directors will hold the fiduciary responsibility for all actions and transactions of the State Lodge and will act as a liaison between the AAST and state members.  Additionally, they will promote and facilitate input from members to the National Lodge and provide information about AAST program to the trooper members in their state.

    Indiana State Police officers are encourage to visit the AAST website at www.statetroopers.org where the application to join can be downloaded.  The cost is $24.00 per year.

AAST Benefits are as follows:

Term Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

Trooper members receive $7,500 of term life coverage and an accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) plan that doubles the term life coverage to $15,000 in the event of an accidental death.

Retired trooper members have the option of replacing the term life insurance/accidental death & dismemberment policy with a vision plan.

Brotherhood Assistance

Awarded on an as-needed basis and as resources permit, to assist trooper members with catastrophic events such as death, severe injury, illness, natural disasters and financial stress caused to the family of troopers by any of these events. (Our members’ needs come first but AAST frequently assists worthy non-member troopers as funds permit.)

National Newsletter

Trooper Connection – an informative quarterly newsletter to keep AAST members up-to-date on AAST news and information from state police and highway patrol departments across the United States.

AAST Scholarships

The AAST Scholarship Foundation accepts scholarship applications submitted between January 1 and
June 1 each year from the dependents of trooper members.

Over a three year period, up to $2,500 in scholarships may be awarded to AAST members’ dependents who qualify. For more information, visit the AAST Scholarship Foundation page.

AAST benefits and coverage levels are subject to periodic review and revision by the
AAST Board of Directors

Master Trooper Mark E. Hodges, PE4163, has traded his Indiana State Police badge for a shiny new Sheriff's badge, as he recently was elected to the position of Sheriff of Whitley County.  His term began on January 1, 2007.

    To honor his 26 years of service to the Indiana State Police, his friends and co-workers at the Ft. Wayne Post will host a Retirement Dinner. 

    The event will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at the Eagles Nest Event Center, 125 S. Eagle Glen Trail, Columbia City, Indiana.  The Social Hour will begin at 6pm, followed by a Buffet Dinner at 7pm.   $25 per person is the cost, which covers dinner and gift.

   RSVP to Kate Stuart, North Field Operations, 260-432-8661 or 80-552-0976 no later than March 8th. 
  Checks should be made payable to Kate and sent to her attention at the:

Fort Wayne Post, 5811 Ellison Road, Ft. Wayne, Indiana 46804.

    M/Tpr. Hodges has been a longtime supporter of the efforts of the ITA, serving as a District Representative for several years.  We wish him much success in his new position.

    ISP Superintendent Paul E. Whitesell, PhD, recently announced the promotion of Sgt. Clint Bundy to the rank of First Sergeant.   With his new rank, Bundy will now serve as the Assistance District Commander of the Indiana State Police - Indianapolis.  District 52 includes:  Boone, Johnson, Marion and Shelby Counties.

    The Lighthouse Restaurant in Connersville will be the setting for a Retirement Celebration honoring Lt. Jim Edwards, PE2548, who recently retired from the Indiana State Police.

    The date is Wednesday, March 7th with a Social Hour beginning 6pm followed by a Buffet Dinner at 7pm. 

    Monday, January 29th, marked the beginning of a career in state law enforcement for some 130 new recruits. 

2007 marks the beginning of the 28th year for our association! We thank each of you who continue to support our programs and projects.

There are many new and exciting things to share with you - one of which is a change in our website. While we apologize for the lack of information shared during our transition period, we will now be providing updates in-house and feel we will be able to get information to our readers on a timelier basis. Thank you for your patience during this transitional period.

            At our December 9^th Board of Directors meeting in Indianapolis, President Duane L. Davies passed the gavel to our new President Sgt. Patricia C. Warczynski.   It was a historic moment for the association as President Davies successfully completed his full-term in office and President Warczynski became the first woman to serve as President.

Corporate Office Phone: 

• 1-800-671-9851
• or 1-260-624-2926
• 1-260-316-9437 (after hrs/emergency)

We are here to serve you – if you need any of us,
please don’t hesitate to call!

ITA Retiree Rifle Raffle

            Invitation letters are in the mail to all ISP Retirees for the ITA Retiree Rifle Raffle.  A drawing will be held on Friday, April 13, 2007 at the Corporate Office in Angola for the Limited Edition Commemorative Rifle, which is the only remaining of the 25 which were a part of the 25^th Anniversary celebration of the Indiana Troopers Association.  It is truly a collector’s item.

            All retirees of the Indiana State Police are invited to participate in the raffle. “Retiree” is defined as retired from the ISP with at least 10 years of service and drawing a pension from the department. 

            Tickets are $10 each or 6 tickets for $50.    The winner will be notified by phone and posted on our website.

2006 Holiday Assistance Programs
Very Successful

            Once again the ITA was grateful to those who support our cause during the holiday season.  We were able to assist over 100 families with an estimated 550 children during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

            Our thanks to the Timothy Ball Elementary School in Crown Point, Indiana who donated their food drive offerings to the ITA for the food basket program.  This was the third year the school has made the ITA their recipient.  With various additions from the ITA, over 50 boxes of food were shipped across Indiana just in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

            During the Christmas holidays, our Trooper Pat Bartram Memorial “Christmas for Kids” Program – our version of Shop With A Cop – was held.   Approximately 100 families were provided Wal-Mart shopping cards to purchase new clothing and new toys as they shopped with uniformed officers throughout the state.    Each child in the family was allotted a $100 gift card with a $400 family limit.   At least one-half of the gift card was to be used for new clothing, coats, boots, gloves, etc., while the remainder could be used for toys, games, books, etc.  

            We truly thank the Bartram family for sponsoring the Trooper Bartram Poker Run in August, which raised $4,000 for the Christmas for Kids Program, as well as all the Indiana State Police Post Commanders, Public Information Officers, and Chaplains for submitting the deserving family names.  Most of all, we thank our troopers who gave of their time to meet with the families and assist with the shopping selections.

Upcoming Events:     

            The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors of the ITA will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2007 at the ISP Youth Services & Historical Center in Indianapolis.  The meeting will commence at 10:00am.

            Invitations will be in the mail in January for the ^{11th Annual 5th Grade Essay Contest.}  The David Deuter Memorial “What Being A Good Citizen Means To Me” Essay Contest is open to all 5^th grade students in the State of Indiana.  

            2007 College Scholarship Program will begin in February, with invitations sent to all 2007 ITA members.   The program will provide a scholarship of $10 per credit hour successfully completed with a “C” or above average during the school year from Fall of 2006 through June 2007.

2007 Membership Drive

            Attention all Indiana State Police Officers – Conservation Officers – Excise Police!!!   ITA membership is open to each of you – uniformed or civilian.  Dues are $20 per year.   Benefits are outstanding!!!   Best $20 you’ll spend all year! 
   Sign up today!!!