Putnamville sergeant retires after more than 30 years of service

Monday, October 13, 2014

Sgt. Chris Effner

PUTNAMVILLE -- After nearly 31 years of service to the department and Hoosier citizens, Indiana State Police Sgt. R. Chris Effner of the Putnamville District has officially retired, effective Oct. 1.

Sgt. Effner graduated from the 41st Indiana State Police Recruit Academy on Dec. 23, 1983 and was assigned to the former Terre Haute District to patrol his native Vigo County.

In 1988, Effner was reassigned to the Enforcement Division as an inaugural member of the Mustang Patrol Task Force, seeking to achieve 55-mph compliance by utilizing the Ford Mustang as a patrol vehicle. In 1989, Effner was promoted to corporal and in 1991 to the position of detective.

From 1995 to 1998, he served as an undercover investigator before returning to road patrols duties for a few years.

In 2004, Effner was promoted to sergeant and supervised road troopers and in 2007 was transferred to the ISP Logistics Division to serve as commander of the Quartermaster Section. In 2008, he transferred back to the former Terre Haute Post and reassigned to the U.S. Marshal's Service to serve with the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Apprehension Task Force, a position he held until his retirement.

During his career, Effner received awards for Trooper of the Year, Lifesaving, U.S. Marshal Service Distinguished Service Award, and the 2011 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year presented by U.S. Marshal Service Director Stacia Hylton. He also received the ISP Safe Driving Award for one million accident-free miles.

Reminiscing on his career, Effner commented, "It has been an honor and a privilege to have served the citizens of Indiana as an Indiana State Police trooper. I have also enjoyed working with many outstanding police officers from various agencies within the Wabash Valley."

Effner currently serves as a court security officer for the Terre Haute Federal Building.

He is a graduate of both Terre Haute South Vigo High School and Indiana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology.

He and his wife Lori, who is a 25-year employee of the ISP, have one daughter. The family resides in Vigo County.