(Fort Wayne, IN)-Four Indiana State Police Troopers were recognized in front of their peers recently for reaching longevity and safe driving milestones in their respective careers.
Fort Wayne District Commander, Lieutenant Anthony Casto presented Department awards to the following:
•30 Years of Service to Sergeant Pornteb L. Nathalang of Fort Wayne. Nathalang was appointed as a Trooper on November 18, 1984 as a graduate of the 42nd Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. During his career, he has served as a field training officer, a speed timing instructor and a crash re-constructionist. From 1991 until 2004, he was a member of the Department’s High Performance Vehicle program in which he patrolled in both the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro. In October 2004, he attended and graduated from the Northwestern-Harley Davidson Police Motorcycle School, and began patrolling the Fort Wayne district’s highways with the Department’s renewed motorcycle program. Nathalang currently serves as a Squad Sergeant assigned to the Fort Wayne Post.
•30 Years of Service to Master Trooper Kent J. Roe of Fort Wayne. Roe was appointed as a Trooper on November 18, 1984 as graduate of the 42nd Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. During his career, Roe has been a member of the Emergency Response Team and the High Performance Vehicle program where he patrolled in a Ford Mustang. Roe is currently assigned to the Fort Wayne Post where he patrols Allen County.
•25 Years of Service to Sergeant Thomas L. Merkling of rural Avilla. Merkling was appointed as a Trooper on November 19, 1989 as a graduate of the 47th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. During his career, Merkling has served as a field training officer, a speed timing instructor, a crash re-constructionist, a photogrammetry instructor a first aid instructor, and federally certified through the Department’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. Merkling is currently serves as a Squad Sergeant assigned to the Fort Wayne Post.
•1 Million Safe Driving Miles to Sergeant Mike Harris of rural Angola. Harris, a 37 year veteran of the Indiana State Police, currently serves as a pilot in the Aviation Section, where over the last 24 years, he has also logged in excess of 6,300 flight hours.
Pictured: #1 Sgt. Nathalang, #2 Master Trooper Roe, #3 Sgt. Merkling, #4 Sgt. Harris
