Peru – An inscription on the memorial stone in front of the Indiana State Police Peru Post reads, “We Will Remember Them”. Today that promise was kept when local law enforcement officers, retired state police employees, and family members joined troopers from the Indiana State Police Peru Post as they paid tribute to the 46 Indiana State Police employees who have died in the line of duty since the department’s inception in 1933. Howard County Sheriff’s Deputy Carl Koontz, who died in the line of duty on March 20, 2016, was also recognized for his sacrifice.
Since the early days of the Indiana State Police, memorial services have been held at all Indiana State Police Post during the month of May The memorial services are a way of paying tribute and remembering the ultimate sacrifice paid by state police employees who died while serving and protecting the citizens and visitors of Indiana. The services are also for the family members of the fallen heroes. The memorial services let the families of the fallen know that the sacrifice made by them and their departed loved ones will never be forgotten.
Today’s service started with troopers standing at attention as Captain Ed Schroder, Area I commander for the Indiana State Police, read a roll call of the fallen employees. Lieutenant Jeremy Kelly, commander of the Indiana State Police Peru Post, then provided a brief description of what lead to the fallen employees’ final call. The solemn ceremony ended with the playing of Taps by a bugler.
Four troopers from the Indiana State Police Peru Post have died in the line of duty:
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Sergeant Glen R. Hosier died April 26, 1971, of a gunshot wound he received while leading officers up the stair case of a Miami County home. He was attempting to arrest a murder suspect.
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Trooper Robert J. Lather II died July 6, 1982, in an automobile crash on U.S. 31 in Miami County. He was assisting the Howard County Sheriff’s Department in pursuit of a traffic violator.
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Master Trooper Detective David E. Rich died July 5, 2007, of a gunshot wound he received when a motorist he stopped to assist opened fired on him as he approached a disabled vehicle on U.S. 24 in Wabash County.
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Trooper Daniel R. Barrett died January 27, 2008, while attempting to catch a speeding vehicle on U.S. 31 in northern Fulton County. His police car left the roadway and struck a tree, killing the trooper instantly.
For a complete listing of Indiana State Police employees who died in the line of duty, visit the Indiana State Police website at www.in.gov/isp and click on the “In Memoriam” link on the left side of the page.
Two photos attached.
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