Fort Wayne Regional Laboratory Evidence Clerk(s) Tabitha Slagle and Lisa Ratliff were both recognized and presented with Commendation Awards for "exceptional meritorious service", as related to their work involved with the restructuring process for the Bremen Post evidence system, a process which began in November 2019. 

During this restructuring process, both Slagle and Ratliff were required to handle entering numerous items of evidence into the Laboratory Information Management System, Laboratory Examination Requests were processed, numerous evidence transfers were made to the Fort Wayne Regional Laboratory for examinations to meet upcoming court dates, and the evidence destruction process was completed.  Interactions with Prosecutors, Troopers, and Detectives were completed to assure the evidence system remained  functional during the restructuring process.

The restructuring process continued through the COVID-19 pandemic and the vacant Bremen Evidence Clerk position was expanded to include the Toll Road District which did not have an Evidence Clerk. Ms. Ratliff took a lead role in training the new Bremen and Toll Road Evidence Clerks while Ms. Slagle continued to make adjustments to further improve the Bremen Evidence System.

In all, the number of evidence items being stored at the Bremen Post was reduced from 15,286 items to 8,526. The number of cases destroyed were 1,654, with 6,458 items destroyed, and 302 items returned to citizens. Ms. Slagle and Ms. Ratliff also generated 918 new evidence cases, entered 3,492 new items, and processed 369 laboratory examination requests.

Within the Commendation Award(s), Superintendent Carter stated that Ms. Slagle and Ms. Ratliff's actions and dedication to duty were in keeping with the finest traditions of law enforcement and reflect great credit on themselves and the Indiana State Police.

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