Fort Wayne Regional Dispatch Center (RDC2) dispatcher Jessica Everett was awarded the inaugural Dispatcher Of The Year Award. The first time this award has been presented by our agency, Everett was recognized for her exceptional skill and performance in her position as a regional dispatcher, responding to the needs of not just our agency, but other agencies in RDC2 coverage region of Fort Wayne and Peru Districts. 

Additionally, Everett received a Commendation Award for her role in the rescue of a 5 year old child not breathing on September 26, 2019. Everett overheard a dispatch from Miami Central Dispatch and re-aired it to ISP District 16 units, one of which was in the immediate area who arrived on the scene quickly. Trooper Ben Reason was able to apply the Heimlich maneuver and restore the child’s airway until EMS arrived. Everett coordinated EMS response with Miami Central Dispatch to quickly access the child’s location, who was a passenger in a vehicle.

Senior Trooper James Bailey and Trooper Alejandro G. Hernandez were both presented with the department's Combat Action Award for courageous "at risk" performance of duty to include the use of and/or defense against life threatening physical force.

Specifically, on April 21, 2021, the Fort Wayne Police Department conducted a traffic stop within their city limits at approximately 11:30pm. The armed motorist then initiated a lengthy 45 minute vehicle pursuit, spanning three counties, and involving five different police agencies.

The fleeing vehicle struck two separate sets of Stop Sticks prior to coming to a stop on Waits Road near South Maple Street in Kendallville, where officers then initiated felony stop procedures. 

 As a K9 officer was approaching the suspect vehicle, the suspect began the first of three volleys of gunfire upon the officers.  Troopers Bailey and Hernandez both found themselves pinned down with bullets flying overhead, returning fire and steadfastly maintaining a protective perimeter until FWPD SWAT officers were able to make the scene and take the subject into custody. 

It was noted that both Bailey and Hernandez demonstrated swift action and courage under extreme risk, which is in the highest standing of the Indiana State Police, and deserving of their Combat Action Award(s) for heroism. 

Trooper Casey Witzigreuter, along with Adams County Sheriff Deputies Bryce Kukelhan and Seth Prince, were all presented with Commendation Awards for their conscientious dedication to duty and life saving actions taken to assist a severely injured motorist.

On November 21, 2020, at approximately 10:50pm, these three officers responded to crash with injury near the intersection of US33 and County Road 600 East, in rural Adams County. 

When the officers arrived, they found a single vehicle which had rolled over multiple times, coming to rest on its roof and leaking fuel. The 16yr old male driver was trapped upside down and unconscious with labored breathing and profuse bleeding from a head wound. All three officers crawled into the vehicle through various windows and then worked together to free the victim from his seatbelt and carefully remove him from the vehicle. 

Once extracted, the officers continued to provide medical assistance until paramedics arrived. The Director of Adams County EMS noted that the actions of these officers facilitated medics abilities to begin necessary critical care without delay.

The actions and dedication to duty by Trooper Witzigreuter, Deputy Kukelhan, and Deputy Prince, were in keeping with the finest traditions of law enforcement and reflect great credit upon themselves, the Indiana State Police, and the Adams County Sheriff's Department.

Trooper Anthony Repass received the 2020 Trooper of the District Award for the Fort Wayne Post.  This award is presented annually to a Trooper who has achieved outstanding enforcement efforts in the areas of traffic and criminal enforcement, case and crash investigations, public information programs and community service, and who has exemplified the professionalism and integrity expected of an Indiana State Trooper.

As noted in his squad sergeant's letter of recommendation, "Trooper Repass is a student of the profession. He utilizes his own time and resources to study case law, tactics, and relevant topics related to improving law enforcement and self-improvement... and he has established himself as a trusted leader amongst his peers."  In 2020, Trooper Repass conducted 330 traffic contacts, 140 criminal arrest (53 total felony arrests), 10 OWI arrests, on top of assisting local agencies in Adams/Wells Counties with a broad range of incidents and investigations.

Trooper Benjamin Walker was the recipient of the 2020 Top Drunk Driving Arrest Award for the Fort Wayne Post. This award is presented annually to Troopers that have shown commendable dedication to enforcing drinking and driving laws on Indiana's roadways. 

Trooper Walker transferred from the Toll Road post to the Fort Wayne post in April of 2020, and has been primarily assigned to patrol duties in Steuben County.  During that  9-month period of 2020, Trooper Walker led all Fort Wayne Post personnel in impaired driving apprehensions.  He conducted 111 investigations for impaired driving, 56 which resulted in arrests for operating while intoxicated.  He also finished the year with 250 total criminal arrests. Sgt. Matt Lazoff, Walker's squad sergeant, described Walker as a very well rounded officer who is aggressive in his efforts to locate impaired drivers. He is extremely professional and embodies the character, attitude, and effort expected of an Indiana State Trooper, and deserving of this award."

Trooper Walker was also presented with an award from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) organization earlier this year, for his efforts to combat drunk driving.

                                                                                                                     -Walker

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