Putnamville troopers recognized for longevity

Thursday, October 23, 2014
Courtesy photo Putnamville State Police Post Commander Dan Jones (left) congratulates Troopers Michael Featherling, Yan Dravigne and Joe Watts for their tenures with the Indiana State Police. Watts was commended for 30 years, while Featherling and Dravigne were cited for five years. Not pictured is Christopher Wright, who was honored for 25 years with the ISP.

PUTNAMVILLE -- Commander of the Putnamville Post Lt. Dan Jones recognized four troopers for their respective longevity and service to the Indiana State Police.

Each was awarded a certificate and insignia for their uniform to signify their years of service during a recent post meeting.

Trooper Yan J. Dravigne was recognized for five years of service to the department.

Dravigne graduated from the Indiana State Police 71st Recruit School in November 2012 and was assigned to the Putnamville Post.

Dravigne served four years with the ISP as a civilian motor carrier inspector. During his time as an MCI, Dravigne was awarded the Ray Reed Award for 2010 MCI of the Year and the Commander's Award in 2011 for outstanding drug interdiction efforts.

As a trooper, Dravigne was selected the 2013 Trooper of the District for the Putnamville District. Dravigne is assigned to Putnam County where he and his family also reside.

Trooper Michael L. Featherling was also recognized for five years of service to the Indiana State Police.

Featherling graduated from the Indiana State Police 71st Recruit School in November 2012 and was assigned to the Putnamville Post. Prior to recruit school, Featherling served three years in the capital police section of the ISP as a patrol officer. Assigned to Clay County, Featherling and his family also reside there.

Sgt. Christopher R. Wright was recognized for 25 years of service to the department.

Wright graduated from the Indiana State Police Recruit School in 1991 and was assigned to the former Terre Haute Post to patrol Vigo County.

During his time on the department, Wright has held the position of civilian motor carrier inspector which he served for two years prior to his appointment as a trooper, held the position of detective and was ultimately promoted to the rank of sergeant where he supervises troopers assigned to Vigo County.

Wright has served as a member of the ISP SCUBA team, the Tactical Intervention Platoon and as a defensive tactics instructor. He and his family reside in Vigo County.

Sgt. Joseph L. Watts was recognized for 30 years of service to the department.

Watts graduated from the 43rd Recruit School in November 1985 and was assigned to the former Terre Haute Post to patrol Vigo County. In 2000, Watts was promoted to the rank of corporal and assigned administrative duties at the district. In 2003, Watts was promoted to his current rank of sergeant to serve as the public information officer. Watts began his career with the ISP in August 1984 as a civilian police dispatcher for the Terre Haute Post. During his time with the department, Watts served as an instructor at ISP Recruit Schools, served as a field training officer, and was a member of the ISP SWAT team for 10 years.

Watts is also a three-time recipient of the ISP Lifesaving Award, a 2008 recipient of the Indiana Pacers Indiana Hero Award, and in 2010, the Terre Haute Breakfast Optimist Club awarded him the W. Kevin Artz Award for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in Vigo County.

Watts and his family live in Vigo County.

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