Putnamville Post conducts annual memorial service

PUTNAMVILLE --The Indiana State Police Post at Putnamville conducted its annual memorial service Wednesday, honoring those members of the department who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Troopers were brought to attention and prepared for roll call by Putnamville District Assistant Commander First Sgt. Matt Mischler. Opening prayer was given by Indiana State Police Chaplain John Lefler.

Annual memorial service conducted at the Indiana State Police Post at Putnamville.

Members of the Putnamville District Honor Guard then displayed the national and state flags as Capt. Bob Burke, Area V commander, and Lt. Dan Jones, commander of the Putnamville District, read each fallen member's name, along with a description of the circumstances surrounding their death.

After reading the names of the fallen officers, bagpipes soloist and retired ISP Lt. Rick Hammer and retired U.S. Marine Doug Hardwick, of the Indianapolis 500 Gordon Pipers Horse Shoe Pipes and Drums, played "Amazing Grace."

The ceremony concluded with the playing of "Taps" by Greencastle High School student Addison Hughes, and the closing benediction given by Indiana State Police Chaplain Dick Smith.

Members of the Honor Guard were Troopers James Crisp, Chuck Murphy, Corey Berfield, Jonathan Haugh and William Gannon.

Honor Guard Courtesy photo for annual memorial service at the Indiana State Police Post at Putnamville.

Members of the 21 Gun Salute Live Firing Team were Troopers Christopher McCawley, Kevin Getz, Ross Johnson, Dustin Zender, Andrew Mitchell, Brett Walters, Matt Simmons and Brandon Farias.

In attendance were 81 ISP personnel and 42 visitors. Among the dignitaries in attendance were U.S. Congressman Larry Bucshon, and ISP retirees Denny Bridges (Putnam County Superior Court judge) and Scotty Stockton (Putnam County sheriff).

A pitch-in meal was provided to all attendees with assistance from the Indiana State Police Alliance.

A total of 46 members of the Indiana State Police, both men and women, have died in the line duty since the department's inception in 1933.

Since the early days of the Indiana State Police, memorial services have been conducted each May at all Indiana State Police districts to perpetuate the memory of those who have died in the line of duty. The service serves as a means of paying tribute to those who died in the line of duty, that their sacrifice was not made in vain, and as a reminder to those of us left behind that we should strive to maintain the level of professional service to the public our departed comrades so unselfishly gave their lives for.

The first-ever memorial service was held on Memorial Day of 1943 at the former Ligonier Post in northern Indiana.

For a complete listing of Indiana Troopers killed in the line of duty and a summary of their deaths, visit the Indiana State Police website at www.in.gov/isp and click on the "In Memoriam" link on the left side of the page.