Putnamville ISP Post conducts annual memorial service

Indiana State Police Honor Guard members (from left) Jason Miller, James Crisp, Aaron Kaucher, Corey Berfield and Shayne Roman join Lt. Dan Jones and Capt. Robert Burke in reading the names of the fallen during the ceremony Thursday at the Putnamville District post.

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Indiana State Police Post at Putnamville conducted its annual memorial service Thursday to honor those members of the department who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Troopers were brought to attention and prepared for roll call by First Sgt. Matt Mischler, Putnamville District assistant commander. Opening prayer was given by Indiana State Police Chaplain John Lefler.

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, commander of the Putnamville District, read each fallen member's name, along with a description of the circumstances surrounding their death.

After reading the names of the fallen officers, bagpipes soloist and retired ISP Lt. Rick Hammer and retired U.S. Marine Doug Hardwick of the Indianapolis 500 Gordon Pipers Horse Shoe Pipes and Drums, played "Amazing Grace."

The ceremony concluded with the playing of "Taps" by Trooper Ian Portteus of the Putnamville Post with the closing benediction given by Indiana State Police Chaplain Daniel Coffey.

Members of the Putnamville Honor Guard were Sgt. Jason Miller and Troopers James Crisp, Shayne Roman, Corey Berfield and Aaron Kaucher.

In attendance were 79 ISP personnel and 29 visitors.

"Amazing Grace" is performed at Thursday's memorial ceremony at the Indiana State Police Post at Putnamville by bagpipers (from left) retired U.S. Marine Doug Hardwick and retired ISP Lt. Rick Hammer.

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 conducted 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 of us left behind that we should strive to maintain the level of professional service to the public for which their departed comrades so unselfishly gave their lives. The first-ever memorial service was held on Memorial Day 1943 at the former Ligonier Post in northern Indiana.