Indianapolis District Honors Fallen Heros; Holds Memorial Service
Indianapolis – The Indiana State Police Post at Indianapolis held their annual memorial service today for those members of the department that gave their lives in the line of duty. Troopers were brought to attention by First Sergeant Jeff Payne. Captain Mike Eslinger and Lieutenant Jon Smithers then read each fallen member’s name, along with a description of the circumstances surrounding their death.
A total of 46 members of the Indiana State Police have died in the line of duty since the department’s inception in 1933. Family members and friends of fallen troopers were in attendance. The Indiana State Police Color Guard presented the "Colors" and conducted the 21 gun salute. Law enforcement officers from the Marion County Sheriff's Department and the Indiana State Police played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes This was followed by the military “Taps” played by an Indiana State Trooper on the Trumpet.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, attendees enjoyed a catered meal and fellowship in the Indianapolis Post conference room.
Since the early days of the Indiana State Police, memorial services have been held each May at all Indiana State Police Districts to perpetuate the memory of those who have died in the line of duty. The service serves as a means of paying tribute to those who died in the line of duty, that their sacrifice was not made in vain, and as a reminder to those of us left behind that we should strive to maintain the level of professional service to the public our departed comrades so unselfishly gave their lives for.
For a complete listing of Indiana Troopers killed in the line of duty and a summary of their deaths, visit the Indiana State Police website at www.in.gov/isp and click on the “In Memoriam” link on the left side of the page.
