Full Notification

Indianapolis Post Welcome Nine New Troopers
Indianapolis, IN- Recently, nine new troopers reported for duty at the Indiana State Police Post in Indianapolis. They are nine of 47 new troopers reporting to their districts of assignment following graduation from the 73rd Indiana State Police Recruit Academy which took place on Friday, May 1st.

On November 10, 2013 these eight men and one lady began 25 weeks of intense training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield. During the training period the recruits received approximately 600 hours of classroom instructions as well as nearly 300 hours of hands-on practical and scenario based training exercises.

Governor Mike Pence and Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter recognized the accomplishments of the class and following the keynote address by Governor Pence, Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court, the Honorable Brent E. Dickson administered the oath of office to the graduates.

Indianapolis’s newest troopers are:

Probationary Trooper Aryaun N. Smith, 27, is a native of Marion County, and graduated from Warren Central High School. Following high school she attended Indiana University Bloomington and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology in 2010. Before being accepted into the 73rd recruit academy she worked in the surgery department at Bloomington Hospital. Smith resides in Marion County.

Probationary Trooper James Smith, 26, is from Indianapolis and graduated from Warren Central High School. He is in the process of earning a bachelor’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Prior to being accepted to the ISP Academy, he worked as a Marion County Deputy for three years. Smith resides in Indianapolis with his wife and son.

Probationary Trooper Jonathan P. Haugh, 23, a native of Trafalgar is a graduate from Indian Creek High School in Trafalgar, Indiana. Following high school, Haugh attended Indiana State University in Terre Haute earning a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Haugh was a counselor at Camp Lakeview in Seymour, IN before joining the 73rd Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. He resides in Johnson County.

Probationary Trooper Phil Cooley, 38, attended Grapvine High School in Grapvine, Texas and earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Dallas where he also played baseball. Cooley is a sergeant in the National Guard having served three years with one year of service in Afghanistan. He resides in Hamilton County with his wife and two boys.

Probationary Trooper Michael Augst, 26, is from Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Batavia High School. August served 4 years active duty in the Army as an Airborne Army Ranger. He resides in Indianapolis. If there is any additional information that I can provide feel free to contact me.
Probationary Trooper Jacob Wildauer, 22, is a native of Indianapolis and graduate of Franklin Central High School. Wildauer is currently attending Ball State University pursuing a degree in Risk Management and Insurance. He resides in Marion County with his family.
Probationary Trooper Lamar Saunders, 30, attended Manuel High School and earned a Broadcasting degree from Vincennes University. Prior to joining the Indiana State Police Saunders worked several years with special needs and emotionally disabled children. He resides in Beech Grove with his wife.
Probationary Trooper Jayson Massey, 30, was born and lived in Berlin Germany for 12 years until he and his family moved back to the United States where he attended Indian Valley High School in Pennsylvania. Massey served 6 years active duty in the US Army then moved to Indiana when his wife received a job opportunity. Massey continued his education and earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from IUPUI. He lives in Franklin with his wife.
Probationary Trooper Michael S. Wright, 30, is a native of Indianapolis and a graduate of Decatur Central High School. He is an active member of the National Guard since 2001 and holds the rank of Staff Sergeant. Wright served two tours in Iraq. Wright resides in Marion County with his wife and children.

The new troopers will put their recruit academy training to work in the field as they begin 12 weeks of field training where they will be paired with experienced troopers specially trained to serve as Field Training Officers. Upon successful completion of the field training program, they will be issued their own police cars and begin solo patrol responsibilities.

Photo Identification Left to right:
Saunders, Cooley, Wright, Wildauer, Augst, Haugh, A. Smith, Massey, J. Smith

-30-

MYERS