ISP promotes two Putnamville troopers

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

PUTNAMVILLE -- Indiana State Police Supt. Douglas G. Carter has announced the promotions of Putnamville Troopers Michael J. Wood and Brandon G. Mullen and to the rank of sergeant.

Sgt. Wood will serve as the assistant commander of the ISP Training Academy, while Sgt. Mullen will serve as a crime scene investigator.

Sgt. Michael Wood

Both Wood and Mullen earned their promotions through written testing and a competitive interview process.

Sgt. Michael J. Wood, in his new duties, will be the Assistant Academy Commander where he will implement and coordinate all training for ISP recruits and will assist with the department's statewide Field Training Officer program.

A nine-year veteran of the ISP, Sgt. Wood graduated from the 67th Recruit Academy in 2007 and was assigned to the Putnamville District. He has patrolled mostly Putnam County.

Wood was the recipient of the 2008 Trooper of the District and recognized for outstanding DUI Enforcement efforts.

He also served with the district meth suppression team and received certifications through the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Clandestine Laboratory investigations and clean-up, served as a field training officer, and as a member of the ISP Tactical Intervention Platoon.

Most recently Wood served as a counselor for the ISP 75th Recruit Academy and member of the Interview Committee for recruit hiring.

Sgt. Brandon Mullen

A graduate of Owen Valley High School and Indiana State University with a B.S. in exercise science, Wood is a volunteer coach for his children's sports teams in his spare time. He is married with three children and resides in Owen County.

As a crime scene investigator, a portion of Sgt. Mullen's duties will include responding and conducting crime scene investigations, preserving, collecting and documenting forensic evidence, providing crime scene testimony for trials, and assisting officers and agencies with matters concerning crime scene investigations.

Mullen's office will be at the Putnamville Post where he will primarily be responsible for crime scene investigations within the Putnamville District, but may be utilized anywhere else in the state.

A 10-year veteran of the State Police, Mullen graduated from the 65th Recruit Academy in 2006 and was first assigned to the former Terre Haute Post, patrolling Vigo County. After the merger with the Putnamville Post, he most recently patrolled Clay County.

Mullen is a former member of the ISP Tactical Intervention Platoon, Field Training Officer, Vigo County Fatal Crash Team and first-responder instructor.

He is the recipient of the ISP Silver Star Award, Meritorious Service Award, 2009 Trooper of the District, and five DUI enforcement awards.

A graduate of West Vigo High School, Mullen attended ISU, majoring in criminology.

He is married with two children and the family resides in Vigo County.

In his spare time, Sgt. Mullen coaches a youth softball travel team and is currently the tournament director of the Wabash Valley Girls Softball League.

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