Indianapolis, IN - In a ceremony earlier today, led by Superintendent Doug Carter, 54 Indiana State Police Rookie Troopers were issued their patrol car to begin solo patrol. Eleven of those troopers are assigned to the Indianapolis District, covering Marion, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Shelby, Johnson and Boone Counties. 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 950 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques when they were assigned to the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. The curriculum included criminal law instruction, emergency vehicle operations training, psychology, traffic law, crash investigations, self-defense, first responder, and other general law enforcement related areas.
The troopers assigned to the Indianapolis District are:
- Trooper Christopher Cannon – A 2012 graduate of James Whitcomb Riley High School in Southbend, he went on to study Criminal Justice at IUPUI. Cannon currently resides in Hamilton County.
- Trooper Nicholas Cox – A 2006 graduate of Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, after high school Cox enlisted in the United State Army where he served as a military police officer from 2006 until 2011. In May of 2009 he was deployed to Afghanistan for a 12 month tour of duty. Trooper Cox resides in Marion County with his wife and three children.
- Trooper Tigh Freestone – After graduating in 2000 from Russell High School in Russell Pennsylvania, Freestone joined the United States Army. He served three separate deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo during active duty, and he is now in the Indiana National Guard. Freestone lives in Hamilton County with his wife and two children.
- Trooper Chris Hanson – A 2010 graduate of Mount Vernon High School in Fortville Indiana, and native of Greenfield Indiana, Hanson furthered his education at Marian University majoring in Sport Performance. Hanson was very successful running track and cross country in college, and recently set a new record for the Indiana State Police Academy running 2400 meters (1.5 miles) in 8:01. Hanson now resides in Marion County with his Wife.
- Trooper David Herron – A 2009 North Montgomery Graduate, Herron grew up in Crawfordsville. He later attended Vincennes University where he studied Conservation Law Enforcement. Upon completion of college, he was hired by the Indiana Capitol Police where he worked for two years before being hired by the Indiana State Police. Herron currently lives in Shelby County with his wife.
- Trooper Daniel Magnabosco – A 2012 graduate of Speedway High School, and later studied Criminology and Criminal Justice at Indiana State University. Magnabosco now lives in Speedway.
- Trooper Joseph Malone – A 1995 graduate of Deptford Township High School in New Jersey. After high school Malone joined the United States Army where he served as an Infantryman and Ranger, with combat tours to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Egypt, Philippines, and Korea during his 20 year military career. Joseph now lives in Johnson County with his wife and two children.
- Trooper Ty Mays – A 2003 Morristown High School Graduate, Mays went on to serve our country in the United States Marine Corps. Mays has also studied Business management at University of Phoenix. Ty now resides in Marion County.
- Trooper Taylor McCluskey – A 2010 graduate of Southport High School in Indianapolis. McCluskey went on to work for a financial institution as a Home Equity Loan Specialist. Taylor currently resides in Marion County.
- Trooper David Taflinger – A 2010 graduate of New Washington High School. He currently lives in Hendricks County and has one child.
- Trooper Casey Witzigreuter – A 2006 graduate of Elmhurst High School in Fort Wayne, he went on to study Criminal Justice and Public Affairs at IUPUFW. Upon graduation from college, Witzigreuter was hired by the Indiana Capitol Police where he worked as a police officer for two years before being hired by the Indiana State Police.
Photo 1: The Eleven rookie troopers with Indianapolis District Commander Lt. Jeff Payne and Assistant Commander F/Sgt. Dana Harshman
Photo 2: 54 Rookies with ISP Command Staff
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