Versailles: This morning two local troopers were recognized at an awards ceremony in Indianapolis. Trooper Christopher Lockman was presented with the Combat Action Award. To earn the Combat Action Award the recipient must have performed in an intelligent, courageous, responsible manner involving self-sacrifice while at risk that involved elevated circumstances of danger to the officer. Such actions may occur during a vehicle or foot pursuit, while actively attempting to arrest a suspect, being fired upon or returning fire, or otherwise being attacked with any deadly weapon. Tpr. Lockman earned this award as a result of an incident that occurred the evening of February 20, 2012 when he stopped a vehicle in Seymour for a traffic violation. After stopping the driver of that vehicle immediately exited and fired several shots at Tpr. Lockman who returned fire wounding the suspect. The suspect fled the scene on foot and after an extensive manhunt was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Tpr. Lockman is assigned patrol responsibilities in Jackson County and resides near Seymour with his wife and two children.
Also recognized this morning was Trooper Matthew Powell as the “Trooper of the District” for Versailles. The “Trooper of the District” is selected by the command staff from the state police districts across Indiana. Factors District Command personnel used to determine the “Trooper of the District” included, but were not limited to, traffic and criminal enforcement, community involvement and specialty assignments such as SCUBA, ERT, Meth Lab Team, Instructor ratings, or other services performed for the department beyond normal expectations. Tpr. Powell is assigned patrol responsibilities in Bartholomew County and resides in Columbus with his wife and three children.
