An Indiana State Police cruiser is pictured outside an Ivy Tech Community College Campus. Provided photo
Indiana State Troopers who patrol the Indianapolis area were recognized during an awards ceremony — including a local trooper killed in the line of duty.
Dozens of Indiana State Police personnel, and officers from other agencies, were recognized by Superintendent Doug Carter for distinguished service, life-saving awards and meritorious service during a ceremony at the Indiana Government Center. Indianapolis District personnel received 22 various awards, according to an ISP news release.
“The work that our troopers do every single day is certainly commendable, however the recipients of these awards epitomize service above self,” said Lt. Josh Watson, Indianapolis District commander. “I am incredibly proud to work with these men and women each day and honored to recognize them for their selfless efforts.”
Purple Heart
The late Trooper Aaron N. Smith, 33, of Franklin, received a Purple Heart. In June 2023, Smith assisted fellow troopers who were in pursuit of a stolen vehicle and was attempting to deploy stop sticks to end the pursuit when he was struck by the vehicle. He was given medical aid and taken to an Indianapolis hospital, where he died.
“Trooper Smith’s actions and dedication to duty are in keeping with the finest traditions of law enforcement and reflect great credit upon himself and the Indiana State Police,” ISP officials said.
Trooper Smith’s wife Megan and his family were present to receive the award, agency officials said.
Silver Star
On Aug. 5, 2023, ISP dispatchers were notified of a female on Interstate 65 at the 99.2 mile marker in Greenwood standing on the edge of an overpass. Several troopers and local officers responded to the area and began talking with the female, who had climbed up onto the barrier wall of the overpass and said she was suicidal, officials said.
Sgt. Bill Spalding arrived on scene and talked with the female for about 25 minutes. While talking with the female, she laid on the ledge and began lowering herself over the edge. The female ultimately released her grip from the overpass in an attempt to take her own life, ISP officials said.
Spalding immediately, and “without regard for his own safety,” extended himself over the barrier wall of the overpass and grabbed the female’s arms, holding on to her. The female violently flailed and kicked attempting to work herself free from his grip but he continued to hold onto the female until additional officers assisted him with pulling her back up over the barrier wall and onto the interstate bridge. The female, once safe, was transported to a local hospital where she was evaluated, ISP officials said.
“Sergeant Spalding’s actions involved self-sacrifce at a level clearly beyond expectations,” agency officials said.
Lifesaving Award
On Oct. 23, 2022, Sgt. Thomas Burgett, who was off duty at the time, and a friend were removing a pontoon boat from a pond in Morgantown. Both Burgett and his friend were utilizing a farm tractor with a drawbar attached to the pontoon’s trailer to retrieve the boat, according to ISP.
While removing the pontoon from the pond, Burgett’s friend, who was standing on the tractor’s drawbar, slipped and fell into the water. While falling, he hit the back of his head on the drawbar and disappeared into the water. Burgett jumped into the water where he believed his friend was last seen and was able to locate his unresponsive friend and pull him from the water, ISP officials said.
Burgett began life-saving measures by administering CPR. His friend responded and began spitting up water and began to breathe on his own. Burgett also contacted emergency services personnel and monitored his friend until they arrived. His friend sustained an injury to the back of his head and a laceration to his left hand while nearly drowning, agency officials said.
“Sergeant Burgett is to be commended for his extraordinary conduct in saving the life of a fellow human being,” agency officials said.
Other awards
Several other area troopers were honored for their actions elsewhere in the Indianapolis area:
- Bronze Star: Trooper Chris Hanson for actions during a jet fuel fire which occurred after a semi overturned on the ramp from Interstate 465 southbound to Interstate 70 eastbound on the east side of Indianapolis.
- Lifesaving Award: Senior Trooper Walter Butt, and troopers Nicholas Price and Christopher Wright for rendering aid to a man with a gunshot wound on Feb. 27, 2023.
- Lifesaving Award: Trooper Michael Risley for immediately responding to a report of a person shot and rendering aid to a man with a gunshot wound.
- Lifesaving Award: Trooper Isiaha Henderson for rendering emergency medical aid to a man who had a gunshot wound to his arm on May 25, 2023.
- Lifesaving Award: Trooper Ryan McKnight for helping render aid to a man injured in a motorcycle accident on State Road 9 in Hancock County on July 11, 2023.
- Lifesaving Award: Trooper Joe Malone and Hoosier Helper Ryan Eakle for helping two motorcycle riders injured in a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 65 southbound near the 110 mile marker in Indianapolis on July 17, 2023.
- State of Indiana Dispatcher of the Year: Brooke Ecklekamp for outstanding work performance and dedication in 2023.
- Indianapolis District Trooper of the Year: Trooper Jon Troyer for outstanding work performance and dedication in 2023.
- Commendation Award: Trooper Joe Malone for his efforts and compassion in building relationships with the homeless population in Indianapolis in 2023. Because of Trooper Malone’s efforts, the relocation and clean up of large camps in Indianapolis was possible, almost exclusively, with voluntary compliance.
- Commendation Award: Trooper Christian Beltran for speaking with and helping save a suicidal man on I-65 southbound near the 115-mile marker in Indianapolis on Feb. 15, 2023.
- DUI Award: Trooper Christian Beltran for outstanding driving under the influence enforcement efforts with the arrests of 100 intoxicated drivers in the Indianapolis area last year.
