Bloomington – Last Friday, July 29th, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter proudly presented Indiana’s Highest Civilian Honor, the “Sagamore of the Wabash” Award to Retired ISP Captain Robert “Bob” Miller. Several friends, family, retired and active law enforcement officers came to witness the ceremony at the Bloomington ISP Post which resulted in a standing room only event.
The Sagamore of the Wabash Certificate read as follows;
WHEREAS, the greatness of the Sons of Indiana derives, in part, from qualities possessed by the noble Chieftains of the Indian Tribes which once roamed it domain and
WHEREAS, it has been the immemorial custom of the State of Indiana to attract to its support those who have exhibited such qualities, and
WHEREAS, there has endeared himself to the Citizens of Indiana, one ROBERT A. MILLER, distinguished by his Humanity in Living, his Loyalty in Friendship, his Wisdom in Council, and his Inspiration in Leadership.
NOW, THEREFORE, recognizing his greatness and desiring to avail myself of his counsel, I do hereby appoint him a Chieftain upon my Staff with the rank and title of ~SAGAMORE of the WABASH~
Michael R. Pence
Governor of the State of Indiana
Superintendent Carter went on to read the following of Miller’s career and how it exemplifies an award that honors public service;
Robert A. Miller made the decision to unselfishly serve the citizens of Indiana almost 60 years ago. Robert “Bob” Miller began his career serving the citizens of Indiana in 1957 when he was appointed as an Indiana State Police Trooper assigned to Hendricks County. There Bob diligently served the citizens of Indiana, the citizens of Hendricks County and the law enforcement community from 1957 to 1971. During this time he was a founding member of the Hendricks County lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police located adjacent to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and served as the lodge Secretary for two years. In 1971 Mr. Miller was assigned to Governor Edgar Whitcomb's security detail and continued this assignment until the end of Governor Whitcomb's term of office in 1972. Bob was then assigned to the Operations Section at State Police General Headquarters. In 1975 he was promoted to Sergeant of the Operations section and in 1978 he obtained the rank of Lieutenant Commander of the State Police Operations Section in Indianapolis. In 1981 Bob transferred back to where he was raised, Monroe County, when he was appointed District Commander of the Bloomington State Police Post. In 1982 he was promoted to the rank of Area 3 Captain supervising the Terre Haute, Putnamville and Bloomington State Police Posts and remained as such until his retirement in 1988. Mr. Miller left public service briefly between 1988 and 1990 to work as Head Security Officer at the College Mall in Bloomington. In 1990 Bob returned to the Indiana State Police as Telecommunications Operator, a position he held until 1995. Mr. Miller then took the position of custodian at the Bloomington post until 1998 when he again retired from the Indiana State Police. Even in the position of Telecommunications Operator and Custodian, Bob continued to positively affect the lives and careers of many as a pillar of stability and humility. Never one to stop working, Robert Miller began working as a security officer with the Indiana State Police Alliance in 1999. Bob maintained this position until February 2016 when his sister became terminally ill. The majority of this security position was conducted at Cook Incorporated in Bloomington.
Indiana Conservation Officer and son of Bob Miller, Stephen Miller said “If there was ever someone who should receive an award for public service, Robert Miller is just such a person. Bob has faithfully and loyally served and protected the State of Indiana, and the citizens of our great State, for nearly sixty years. Perhaps more notable than this is the ability of Bob to enrich the lives of everyone that has ever known him. An achievement obtained by very few, an achievement most worthy of being a “Sagamore of the Wabash”.
Superintendent Carter added “Because the ‘Sagamore of the Wabash’ is such a high honor, it sometimes becomes very difficult to ensure only those who are deserving, receive this distinction. With Bob Miller, the choice was easy. Bob has exemplified all the traits and more required of such an honor and it is my honor to present it to him”.
PHOTO 1 – Retired Captain Robert A. Miller and ISP Superintendent Doug Carter
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