Jasper District welcomes four new troopers
Four new Indiana State Troopers reported to Jasper District for their first assignment with the state department.
The four are part of the 74th Recruit Academy and join 38 other new troopers reporting for duty at 14 state police posts across the state.
The recruits took their oaths of office to serve and protect the citizens of the State of Indiana at their graduation on Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at the culmination of their training. Subjects studied during the academy included criminal and traffic law, crash investigations, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, firearms, and a host of other subjects related to modern policing.
Troopers Samuel Gillespie, Kaitlyn Greene, Justin Mears, and Paul Nanney will work alongside seasoned troopers for the next three months prior to working within their assignments on solo patrol.
Trooper Gillespie, originally from Bedford, Indiana, graduated from Bedford North Lawrence High School and Danville Area Community College (Danville, Illinois), where he majored in Psychology. Trooper Gillespie is the grandson of Trooper Robert C. Gillespie, who was killed in the line of duty on June 8, 1962. Trooper Gillespie will primarily patrol Orange County.
Trooper Greene, originally from Rockport, Indiana, graduated from South Spencer High School in 2009 and attended the University of Southern Indiana and Vincennes University, receiving an Associates Degree. Greene is an active volunteer member of the Chrisney Fire Department, Spencer County Search and Rescue, and Spencer County Water Rescue Team. Greene is the daughter of Sergeant Sherri Heichelbech and the pair become the first mother-daughter active duty relationship in the department’s history. Trooper Greene will primarily patrol Spencer County.
Trooper Mears, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, attended Fern Creek Traditional High School and Jefferson Community College (both in Louisville, Kentucky), with a major in Criminal Justice. Mears holds a student pilot’s license and has over 100 hours of aircraft flight time. Trooper Mears will primarily patrol Crawford County.
Trooper Nanney, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, was home schooled through high school and attended Jefferson Community and Technical College (Louisville, Kentucky), where he majored in Communications. Nanney worked as a Correctional Officer at the Roederer Correctional Complex (LaGrange, Kentucky) prior to attending the State Police Academy. Trooper Nanney will primarily patrol Crawford County.
