Indiana State Police Jasper Post holds Annual Memorial Service

Two Buglers from Springs Valley High School — Ben Downing, on the roof of the state police post, and Brandon Deel, right profile, members of the Springs Valley High School State Championship Band, were asked to perform Taps at the Indiana State Police Memorial.

Since the early days of the Indiana State Police, memorial services have been held 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 our departed comrades so unselfishly gave their lives for.

firingthesalute — The Honor Guard fires the salute to those that have fallen.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726, making May 15 National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and the calendar week

presenters — Commander of the Jasper Post, Lieutenant Don Bolen, left, and Area III Commander, Captain Danny Price read the list of 46 State Troopers that have died in the line of duty.

containing May 15 being designated National Police Week.

The Indiana State Police Post at Jasper held their annual memorial service today for those members of the department that gave their lives in the line of duty. Troopers present were brought to attention and prepared for the roll call. Captain Danny Price and Lieutenant Don Bolen then read each fallen member’s name, along with a description of the circumstances surrounding their death.

A total of 46 members of the Indiana State Police have died in the line of duty since the department’s inception in 1933.

Honor guard — The troopers in the firing party are members of the Indiana State Police Honor Guard and from left to right they are: Senior Trooper Mark Green, Trooper Wes Kuykendall, Sergeant Chad Dick, Trooper Phil Hensley, Trooper Edward Kaucher, Trooper Brock Werne, and Trooper Paul Stolz Jr. In the picture the Firing Party is in the position of “Present Arms” while Taps was being played.