Ex-Putnamville trooper new assistant commander at Indy

Jeff Payne

PUTNAMVILLE -- Indiana State Police Supt. Paul Whitesell has announced the promotion of Sgt. Jeff Payne to the rank of first sergeant, appointing him to serve as assistant commander of the Indianapolis District.

Formerly assigned to the Putnamville Post, Payne received his recent promotion through written testing and a competitive interview process, Whitesell said.

As an assistant district commander at Indianapolis, Payne's primary responsibility is to assist the post commander with district operations and supervising district personnel.

First Sgt. Payne is a 23-year veteran of the department. He graduated from the ISP Recruit School in December 1994 and subsequently assigned to the Putnamville District where he worked road patrol in Morgan County for 16 years.

Payne was promoted to corporal at the Putnamville District in 2004 and was then appointed squad sergeant in 2005 at the Indianapolis District, a position he held until his recent promotion to first sergeant.

While with the department, Payne has served as a field training officer and a member of the Central Team Tactical Intervention Platoon.

First Sgt. Payne is a central Indiana native, having graduated from Eminence High School and later from Vincennes University with an associate's degree.

He resides in Morgan County with his wife and three children.