Awards Presented to Local Troopers
Putnamville—On Friday, October 7, 2016, the Indiana State Police held an awards ceremony for department personnel at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis. Ten troopers who reside within the Putnamville District were among those recognized.
Those receiving Commendation Awards were: Lieutenant Dan Jones, First Sergeant Tom Hannon, Sergeant Joe Rutledge, and Troopers Todd Brown, David Petrowski, Michael Taylor, Brent Robinson, Marcus Tow, and Tyler Van Ness.
The awards were the result of their actions on July 13, 2013 in Clay County. The officers responded to a domestic violence call reporting a male holding a female against her will. Through a window of the residence, troopers could see the female victim was being physically restrained and appeared to have been battered. After a few moments of attempted negotiations with the suspect, it became clear to the officers that the male was becoming increasingly agitated and the danger to the victim was most likely going to increase. The troopers devised a plan to forcefully enter the residence at two access points and upon doing so, the male made an aggressive movement toward the female. Troopers utilized a Taser (electronic control device) to subdue the suspect, where he was taken into custody and incarcerated in the Clay County Justice Center. The female sustained no further injuries and was medically treated and released.
For his actions on March 31, 2016, Lieutenant Mark Tow received the ISP Combat Action Award for his courageous “at risk” performance of duty to include the use of and/or defense against life threatening physical force. This was Tow’s 5th such award. On this date, Lt. Tow and other members of the ISP Central SWAT Team were assisting the Speedway Police Department with a barricaded man inside a van. After several attempts at a peaceful resolution, the male brandished a shotgun out of the sliding door of the van requiring officers to demand several times, the suspect put down the weapon. The male refused and lowered the weapon in the direction of the officers, causing officers to engage several rounds with the suspect. The suspect was struck and immediately treated at the scene with life saving measures that ultimately saved his life.
ISP Superintendent Douglas G. Carter stated, “The troopers actions and dedication to duty are in keeping with the finest traditions of law enforcement and reflect great credit upon themselves and the Indiana State Police.
The attached group picture is Left to Right: Hannon, Petrowski, Taylor, Rutledge, Robinson, Jones, and Brown. Not pictured is Marcus Tow and Tyler Van Ness.
Separate picture is Mark Tow.
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SGT. JOE WATTS
