ISP holds annual memorial service

Friday, May 16, 2014
Courtesy of Indiana State Police

PUTNAMVILLLE --The Indiana State Police Post at Putnamville conducted its annual memorial service Friday to honor those members of the department who gave their lives in the line of duty. 


Troopers were brought to attention and prepared for roll call by Putnamville District Assistant Commander 1st Sgt. Matt Mischler.

Opening prayer was given by Indiana State Police Chaplain Daniel Coffey. 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, Putnamville District commander, read each fallen member's name, along with a description of the circumstances surrounding their death.

After reading the names of the fallen officers, Trooper Ian Portteus, who is assigned to the Putnamville Post, played "Taps."

The ceremony concluded with bagpipes instrumentalist Lucas Cody playing "Amazing Grace" and the closing benediction given by Indiana State Police Associate Chaplain John Lefler. Lucas is the son of ISP Crime Scene Investigator Sgt. Jim Cody, who is assigned to the Putnamville Post. 


Members of the Putnamville Honor Guard were Sgt. Jason Miller and Troopers David Petrowski, Jonathan Cumbie and Ryan Purkiser.


Other attendees included ISP Supt. Doug Carter, 16 State Police retirees and family and friends of ISP personnel.

Among the retirees were Charlie Tyree who was appointed in December 1950 and retired in December 1966, Norm Malone who was appointed on May 1, 1955 and retired May 2, 1975, and Putnam Superior Court Judge Denny Bridges, who was with the Indiana State Police from December 1979 until January 2006.

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 held 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 left behind that we should strive to maintain the level of professional service to the public their departed comrades so unselfishly gave their lives for.

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

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