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Putnamville trooper honored for 30 years with State Police
PUTNAMVILLE -- A veteran Indiana State Police trooper assigned to the Putnamville Post recently celebrated 30-plus years with the department and was publicly recognized at a post meeting.
Master Trooper Don Farris was appointed to the Indiana State Police Department on April 26, 1981 after successfully graduating from the ISP Recruit Academy.
Farris was initially sent to the Pendleton District and later to the Redkey District. He has been assigned to the Putnamville Post since 2007 and currently serves in the Special Traffic Patrol Unit where he operates an unmarked 2010 Dodge Charger concentrating on dangerous and aggressive driving behaviors in all areas of the district.
During his tenure, Farris has served in the Executive Protection Detail protecting past governors Robert D. Orr and Evan Bayh.
Farris was a past member of the ISP High Performance Vehicle Unit where he operated Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros.
Farris has received many awards over his 30 years, including the "Sagamore of the Wabash" in 1986 presented by then-Gov. Orr, for his exceptional work in the Governor's Protection Detail, the ISP "Silver Star for Valor" in 1981 for rescuing a downed parachutist who had traveled off course and landed in a lake, and in 2001, the ISP Problem Oriented Policing Award for his work in Rail Crossing Safety.
Farris developed and produced an award-winning Indiana State Police safety film titled, "The Madison County Solution" and has been a past member of the Indiana Operation Lifesaver Board of Directors. He is also past recipient of the department's Million Mile Safe Driving Award.
The veteran trooper continues to lecture in the public school systems and to civic organizations on the importance of railroad crossing safety as it pertains to motorists.
"Master Trooper Farris is a conscientious and hard-working officer who consistently sets examples for others to follow. We congratulate him for 30 years of great service to the Indiana State Police and the citizens of Indiana," commented Lt. Dan Jones, Putnamville District commander.
A Muncie native, Farris is a 1980 graduate of Ball State University with a degree in business marketing. He and his family reside in Brownsburg.