(Fort Wayne, IN)- Five Indiana State Troopers recently observed a milestone in their respective careers as a result of achievement, service and dedication to the Indiana State Police Department and to the citizens of the State of Indiana.
According to Lieutenant Tony Casto, Fort Wayne District Commander, the following Troopers have completed 25 years of service to the Indiana State Police:
Master Trooper Michael W. Lantz, a native of Huntington, was a 1985 graduate of Huntington North High School. He attended Vincennes University from 1987 to 1988 where he earned an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement. He then transferred to IPFW where he earned a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice in 1990. Lantz was appointed to the Department on November 24, 1991 as a graduate of the 49th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy and was assigned to the former Redkey Post where he patrolled Blackford and Grant Counties for two years.
In 1993, Lantz transferred to the Fort Wayne Post and was assigned to patrol duties in Noble and LaGrange Counties. In January 2010, Lantz transferred to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division where he served until November 2010 when he was re-assigned to the Emergency Response Section where he currently serves as the Explosive Ordnance Disposal member of the North SWAT Team.
During his career, Lantz has served as a field training officer, a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon, a member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team (Bomb Squad), and as a member of the Clandestine Laboratory Team. Lantz and his family are residents of rural Kendallville.
Master Trooper L. Andrew Smith, a native of Muncie is a 1985 graduate of Delta High School. He attended Ball State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 1989. Smith was appointed to the Department on November 24, 1991 as a graduate of the 49th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy and was assigned to the Toll Road Post where he patrolled LaGrange and Steuben Counties for six years.
In 1997, Smith transferred to the Fort Wayne Post where he was assigned to patrol duties in Steuben and DeKalb Counties until late 2009 when he was re-assigned to the Meth Suppression Section.
During his career, Smith has served as a field training officer, a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon, and a certified speed timing instructor. Smith and his family are residents of rural Steuben County.
Sergeant Michael C. Toles, a native of Fort Wayne is a 1987 graduate of Northrop High School. He attended IPFW where he earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, and from 1990 to 1991, he served as a Reserve Police Officer for the New Haven Police Department. Toles was appointed to the Department on November 24, 1991 as a graduate of the 49th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy and was assigned to the Fort Wayne Post where he patrolled in LaGrange and Noble Counties for five years.
In 1996, Toles was promoted to the rank of Corporal and served as a District Duty Officer and in 2005, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and supervised troopers in DeKalb and Steuben Counties. He currently serves as the North Zone Supervisor for the Meth Suppression Section.
During his career, Toles has served as a field training officer, a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon, and as a certified defensive tactics instructor. For three years, Toles was the District 22 Marijuana Eradication Coordinator and he is a 2008 graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. Toles is a resident of Noble County and he currently serves as the Noble County Council President.
Sergeant John R. Petro, a native of Portland is a 1987 graduate of Jay County High School. In 1991, he earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Ball State University. Petro was appointed to the Department on November 24, 1991 as a graduate of the 49th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy and was assigned to the former Redkey Post where he patrolled in Jay and Randolph Counties for almost 12 years.
In 2003, Petro transferred to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division where he worked until 2011 when he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and transferred to the Laboratory Division as a Crime Scene Technician, a position he still holds today.
During his career, Petro has served as a field training officer and a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon. Petro and his family are residents of Jay County.
Captain Lori J. Petro, a native of Fort Wayne is a 1985 graduate of South Side High School. She attended IPFW and earned a Bachelor Degree in Communications in 1991 and in 2008 she earned a Master of Business Administration Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Petro was appointed to the Department on November 24, 1991 as a graduate of the 49th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy and was assigned to the Fort Wayne Post where she patrolled Allen County for five years.
In 1996, Petro transferred to the Drug Enforcement Section where she worked undercover until 2000 when she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant within that Section. She has since been promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and then in 2006, to the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division out of General Headquarters in Indianapolis. In 2013, Petro was promoted to the rank of Captain and became the Commander of the Indiana State Police Training Division. Petro has held numerous supervisory roles during her career, including being the founding coordinator and eventual commander of the Meth Suppression Section and the commander of the Drug Enforcement Section. She is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.
During her career, Petro has served as a field training officer, a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon, a certified firearm instructor, a member of the Clandestine Laboratory Team, and is a member of the both Department’s “HI-20” and “Possible Club” for firearms proficiency. Petro is a resident of Marion County and is scheduled to retire from the Indiana State Police by the end of this year.
Pictured:
1: Master Trooper Michael W. Lantz
2: Master Trooper L. Andrew Smith
3: Sergeant Michael C. Toles
4: Sergeant John R. Petro
5: Captain Lori J. Petro
