Bloomington - Yesterday, 40 probationary troopers from the 74th Indiana State Police Academy were issued their patrol cars at the ISP Youth Education and Historical Center in Indianapolis. Four of those officers are assigned to the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post and will immediately start solo patrol in the Bloomington District. 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 the 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 Bloomington Troopers now on solo patrol are;
Trooper Jeremy Cox is a native of Monroe County and graduated from Edgewood High School in 1996. Trooper Cox is currently a Sergeant with the 438th Signal Company in Greenfield Indiana of the Army National Guard. Trooper Cox has served with the National Guard for 4 years. Trooper Cox’s primary assignment of patrol will be Lawrence County.
Trooper Matthew Harris is a native of Hendricks County and was homeschooled through high school. Trooper Harris attended Ivy Tech for two years. Trooper Harris’ primary assignment of patrol will be Monroe County where he, his wife and family will live.
Trooper Cory Knight is a Johnson County native and graduated from Speedway High School in 2012. Trooper Knight had served in the National Guard as a Military Police Officer prior to becoming an Indiana State Trooper. Trooper Knight is married and has one daughter. Trooper Knight’s primary patrol assignment will be Lawrence County.
Trooper Zachery Parker is a Rush County native and graduated from Knightstown High School in 2011. Trooper Parker had previously served with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department as a Jailer. While at the ISP Academy, Trooper Parker earned the Superintendent’s Award which is given to the recruit who finished 1st overall. Trooper Parker’s primary patrol assignment will be Greene County.
NEW TRADITION - After earning the Superintendent’s Award for finishing as the “Top Recruit” in the 74th Class, Trooper Zach Parker was given the honor of displaying a front license plate on his newly issued patrol car, bearing the name and public employee number of Lieutenant Gary E. Dudley. Lt. Dudley died in the line of duty on August 22nd, 2006. Lieutenant Dudley had faithfully served in the ISP Training Division and at the time of his death had a hand in the training of over half of the Troopers that were then serving in uniform.
“It will be an honor to display the memorial plate for Lt. Dudley on my police car. I’m proud to be the one given the opportunity to do so” Trooper Parker said upon receiving the plate.
The memorial plate will be passed on to the next Superintendent’s Award winner from the 75th Recruit School Class and the tradition will be carried on from there.
For more information on Lt. Dudley’s death and other ISP personnel that have given their lives in the line of duty, please visit http://www.in.gov/isp/2336.htm.
-30-
PHOTO 1 – L to R Trooper Zach Parker, Trooper Matthew Harris, Trooper Cory Knight, Trooper Jeremy Cox after receiving their newly issued patrol cars.
PHOTO 2 – Indiana State Police patrol cars lined up ready for issue.
PHOTO 3 – Superintendent Doug Carter presenting the Lt Gary Dudley Memorial License Plate to Trooper Zach Parker
