Putnamville troopers honored by ISP

Monday, November 23, 2020
Putnamville troopers (clockwise from top left) Matt Ames, Jeremy Lewis, Courtland Woodruff and Rondell Shelton were recently honored by ISP.
Courtesy Indiana State Police

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana State Police recently recognized four officers of the Putnamville State Police Post during an annual awards and recognition ceremony held last Friday in Indianapolis.

Sgt. Matt Ames was awarded a Combat Action Award for action he took in Vigo County earlier this year.

On April 11, Ames responded to a scene where Vigo County deputies were pinned down from a suspect that was on higher ground in a wooded area. Along with Vigo County Deputy Elijah Donker, Ames moved toward the shots being fired approximately 50 yards from the suspect. It was at that time that the suspect fired directly at Ames, which then allowed Donker to return fire striking and killing the suspect.

Ames is a 24-year veteran of the Indiana State Police and resides in Vigo County.

Master Trooper Jeremy Lewis was recognized with a Commendation Award.

On March 16, 2019, Lewis responded to a vehicle crash involving two commercial motor vehicles near the 16-mile marker on Interstate 70. Upon his arrival, he immediately grabbed his fire extinguisher and ran toward a semi that was actively burning in the median. With the assistance from bystanders, Lewis was able to control and extinguish the fire. He then immediately ran to the second semi and found the co-driver pinned between the front seat and the sleeper berth of the truck. The injured person was yelling for assistance due to a back and neck injury. Lewis assisted the person by stabilizing his neck and calming him down until medical services arrived.

Lewis is a 25-year veteran of the Indiana State Police and resides in Parke County.

Trooper Rondell Shelton was recognized for the District DUI Award and the Indiana State Police Life Award, which is presented to the top five DUI enforcement troopers in the state. Shelton removed 101 impaired drivers off Indiana roadways in 2019.

Shelton is a five-year veteran of the Indiana State Police and resides in Vigo County.

Trooper Courtland Woodruff was the recipient of the 2019 Putnamville Trooper of the District Award. His performance and accomplishments during 2019 earned him this recognition, and he was nominated by his peers and the Putnamville District Command Team.

During 2019, Trooper Woodruff concentrated his traffic and criminal enforcement efforts on DUI, drug enforcement and associated crimes. He made 35 DUI arrests and 167 criminal arrests, most of which were drug and/or alcohol-related.

Woodruff is currently assigned to the Vigo County squad and is a member of the district Tactical Intervention Platoon. He is a four-year veteran and resides in Vigo County.

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