New troopers issued patrol vehicles

Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Ian Portteus

INDIANAPOLIS -- Two new Indiana State Troopers from the Putnamville Post were among the 47 recruits to receive their patrol vehicles at the Indiana State Police Headquarters on Monday.

Troopers Ian Portteus and Erik Smith will now engage in daily patrol functions in the Putnamville District's six-county area that includes Putnam, Clay, Sullivan, Vigo, Vermillion and Parke counties.

Trooper Portteus, age 24, is an Owen County native and graduate of Owen Valley High School. After high school, he attended Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis.

Portteus is an avid car and motorcycle enthusiast, enjoys music and is a worship leader at his local church. He and his wife reside in Owen County.

Trooper Portteus will be assigned patrol duties in Clay County.

Erik Smith

Trooper Smith, age 30, is a Sullivan County native and a graduate of Sullivan High School. Smith served in the United States Air Force from 2003 through 2011 with tours in Japan and Iraq. He is a sports enthusiast and volunteers as a boys' basketball coach for Terre Haute South High School.

Prior to his acceptance in the ISP Recruit School, Smith served as a Vigo County Sheriff's Office Correctional Officer for 2-1/2 years. He and his wife reside in Vigo County.

Trooper Smith will be assigned patrol duties in Sullivan County.

"I believe these young men will be a tremendous asset to our district and will play an important role in providing safety and security to the citizens we serve," said Lt. Dan Jones, commander of the Putnamville District.

The issuing of state police vehicles to each member of the 72nd recruit academy marks the conclusion of formal training that began on July 8, 2012. The troopers received 917 hours of structured training at the ISP Recruit School located within the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy at Plainfield.

Since graduation on Dec. 21, 2012, the troopers have progressed through a three-month field training period with seasoned troopers where they were observed applying the knowledge and training gained in the academy to real life situations.

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