Putnamville—Today, 40 probationary troopers from the 74th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy class was issued their state police cars at the Indiana State Police Youth Education and Historical Center which is adjacent to the Indiana State Police Indianapolis District. Three of the officers are assigned to the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post and start solo patrol in the district which covers Parke, Vermillion, Vigo, Clay, Putnam, and Sullivan counties. The probationary officers recently completed a three month field training period with veteran troopers. They will serve a one year probationary period before attaining permanent status as a trooper.
In addition to the field training, the new officers received approximately 917 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques when they were assigned to Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. The curriculum included criminal law instruction, emergency vehicle operations training, psychology, and survival Spanish. They also developed skills in criminal investigation, vehicle crash investigation, and impaired driver prevention and detection.
The new Putnamville troopers now on solo patrol are:
Rondell K. Shelton, age 36, attended Indiana State University and Ivy Tech Community College, and currently resides in Vigo County with his wife and children. He will be assigned to primarily patrol Vigo County.
David E. Cox Jr., age 24, attended Vincennes University and currently resides in Putnam County with his wife. He will be assigned to primarily patrol Putnam County.
Nicole Cheeks, age 37, attended Ohio State University, and currently resides in Vigo County with her husband and children. She will be assigned to primarily patrol Vigo County.
Both Photos L to R are: Shelton, Cox, and Cheeks.
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