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Trailblazing ISP trooper Rice retires
PUTNAMVILLE -- A milestone within the Indiana State Police Department was achieved Friday, when Investigative Squad Sgt. Jill Rice officially retired with 33 years and 8 months of dedicated service to the department and the citizens of Indiana.
Her tenure secured her position as the first female in the history of the ISP to serve more than 30 years with the department, as well as the first woman to reach the age of 65.
Jill Rice graduated from the 38th ISP Recruit Academy on Dec. 14, 1979. Sgt. Rice was initially assigned to the former Charlestown Post in southeastern Indiana and worked the road for 13 years. Rice then transferred to the ISP Drug Enforcement Section and served approximately four years as an undercover officer, working drug investigations around the State of Indiana and other jurisdictions as far away as Texas.
She then became an Intelligence coordinator analyzing criminal and gang data for the ISP and other agencies until her recent transfer to the investigations unit at the Putnamville Post.
While at the Putnamville District, Rice served as an investigative squad leader, supervising district detectives until her retirement.
During her career, Sgt. Rice was the recipient of many letters of accommodation along with an "Extra Effort" award from former Marion County Prosecutor Stephen Goldsmith for her work with the death investigation of a prominent Indianapolis restaurant owner.
An Indianapolis native, Sgt. Rice graduated from Arsenal Tech High School and later attended Indiana University, majoring in police administration.
Her inspiration to become an Indiana State Police trooper lies with the then high-profile death of former high school classmate, Sylvia Likens. Likens was murdered by temporary caretaker Gertrude Baniszewski in 1965 and fueled Rice's desire to join the ISP.
In a twist of irony, Rice was assigned to provide security at a Baniszewski parole hearing.
Reminiscing on her career, Sgt. Rice believes she played a significant role in paving the way for other women to join the department and that she has "worked alongside some of the best police officers Indiana has to offer."
During a humorous reflection -- archaic by today's standards -- she recalled that as a rookie trooper she was required by the commander of the former Charlestown Post to obtain written permission from troopers' wives before she could ride and train with their husbands.
Overall, Rice says it was "an honor and privilege" to have been selected to serve within the ranks of the ISP.
Married to retired ISP Detective Dick Rice of the Putnamville District, She is the mother of four boys and the stepmother of two girls.
Avid fitness enthusiast, she has participated in several Indianapolis Mini Marathons.
In retirement, she plans to spend more time with her family and continue her physical fitness regiments.