State Troopers Recognized for Distinguished Service Related to Kendallville Shooting (2023)

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INDIANA STATE POLICE
FORT WAYNE DISTRICT
5811 Ellison Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46804

www.in.gov/isp

FOR RELEASE: Upon Receipt

CONTACT:
Sergeant Brian Walker
Public Information Officer
260.432.8661

 

DATE: April 18, 2024

 

Troopers Recognized for Distinguished Service 

Responding to Kendallville Barricaded Gunman Incident

 

On the evening of April 12, 2023, the Kendallville Police Department began receiving calls from local citizens reporting multiple gunshots near the Drake Terrace apartment complex in Kendallville, IN.  The initial responding police officers were met with targeted high-power gunfire by a suspect having a tactical position of advantage from an elevated second story apartment. This incident would trigger an all-out response from law enforcement patrol officers all across the northeast corner of Indiana, including multiple SWAT teams and tactical personnel trained and equipped to handle such incidents.

In its entirety the violent stand-off would last nearly twelve hours before the suspect would be taken into custody. During the incident hundreds of rifle rounds were indiscriminately fired by the suspect, continually exposing untold numbers of citizens and officers to a serious lethal threat.  For many of the officers involved, this will go down in history as the most lethal critical incident of their careers, and for those citizens that found themselves in harm’s way, possibly the most harrowing experience of their lives.  

On Wednesday April 17, 2024, the Indiana State Police held our Annual Awards Ceremony.  During the ceremony Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter recognized nine State Troopers whose distinguished actions of valor and personal bravery were pivotal and necessary in response to the suspect's overwhelming violence of action. 

Of the nine troopers recognized for their personal bravery and valor, two received the departments highest award for Valor, the Gold Star Award (GSA); five were presented with the departments second highest award for Valor, the Silver Star Award (SSA), and all nine received the departments Combat Action Award (CAA).  (*Footnotes are included below for description of awards.)

Presentations were as follows:

Chris McCreery GSA

Master Trooper Christopher McCreery, Special Operations Division, North SWAT Team-  Gold Star Award

As the first arriving ISP SWAT officer on scene, McCreery coordinated inbound SWAT officers...he evaluated and then deliberately used suppressing fire to slow the firing rate of the suspect. This was the first of several deliberate actions that resulted in immediate and direct gunfire from the suspect at Trooper McCreery.  The tactical mindset and quick actions of McCreery allowed other officers an opportunity to move to cover and establish better positioning. His actions, while in disregard for his own safety, undoubtedly saved lives of others. Superintendent Carter noted that, "Master Trooper McCreery's actions involved self-initiative, extraordinary risk, and personal bravery beyond expectation."

Smeltzley GSA

Master Trooper Steve Smeltzley, Special Operations Division, North SWAT Team- Gold Star AwardTrooper Smeltzley arrived on scene...and immediately closed with and coordinated a triangulated position with McCreery. The initial position chosen to best support McCreery's efforts was an open air position with minimal cover, directly exposing Smeltzley to the suspect's heavy gunfire.  Smeltzley moved to a second open air position with a better angle of fire, again receiving heavy direct gunfire.  In this position Smeltzley was able to identify the suspect location, return fire and suppress the suspect, allowing other officers to safely move into tactical positions.  Superintendent Carter noted that, "Master Trooper Smeltzley's actions involved self-initiative, extraordinary risk, and personal bravery beyond expectation."

Kugler SSA

Trooper Blake Kugler, Fort Wayne Post- Silver Star Award.  As one of the initial responding patrol officers, Kugler heard what he recognized to be the sound of a rifle being charged (loaded).  Kugler quickly relayed that information to the other responding officers and then immediately came under fire from the second story apartment.  Kugler returned fire in defense of himself and the other officers, which caused the suspect to retreat and allowed time for officer to move to cover. Superintendent Carter noted that, "Trooper Kugler's actions involved personal bravery and self-sacrifice, his awareness and response saved lives."

Four SSA's

(Pictured L to R)

Master Trooper Andrew Cochran, Master Trooper Eric (Scott) Meyer, Master Trooper Bradley Theard,  Senior Trooper Justin Superczynski-   Special Operations Division, North SWAT Team- Silver Star Awards.

Troopers Cochran, Meyer, Theard, and Superczynski all responded to the scene and engaged in a coordinated effort to identify the source of gunfire, expedited their movements toward the source of fire, and then returned fire to effectively isolate the suspect. Their actions exposed them to direct gunfire throughout the incident and subsequently allowed other team members windows of opportunity to engage the suspect.  Superintendent Carter noted that, "Their actions involved personal bravery, and self-sacrifice beyond any reasonable expectation."

Parent CCA

Trooper Ryan Parent, Toll Road Post- Combat Action Award.  During his response, putting himself at great risk, Trooper Parent positioned himself in a position to best access the suspect.  He was subsequently fired upon and then returned fire in defense of himself, an action which caused the suspect to retreat and allowed SWAT members an opportunity to maneuver on the suspect.  

Barker CCA

Senior Trooper Andrew Barker, Bremen Post- Combat Action Award.  Despite the use of all available resources, including drones and robots, officers were having difficulty pinpointing the location of the suspect within the apartment.  The unorthodox tactic of using  a "water cannon" to open up the walls on the apartment was conceived.  Senior Trooper Barker, familiar with the operation of a "water cannon", volunteered to undertake that operation and helped develop a plan moving forward.  Due to the successfulness of this tactic, the suspect was revealed inside the structure and apprehension was subsequently made a short time later.

In each individual award presented, Superintendent Carter noted that the actions and dedication to duty exhibited by all of these troopers was in keeping with the finest traditions of law enforcement and reflected great credit upon themselves and the Indiana State Police.  

On behalf of Superintendent Carter as well as each trooper's respective Division, District, and Section Commander, we thank each of you with the utmost admiration and respect for your individual bravery, selfless sacrifice, and dedication to duty while serving the citizens of Indiana.  

Kendallville Award Recipients group photoState Police section divider

 

*Footnotes for Awards

GSA- 1) Awarded for performance with distinction, gallantry, and courage in the line of duty. A deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual and must have involved the risk of serious injury or loss of life to the recipient. 2) The act must have been intelligently performed, self-initiated, and involved a risk so extraordinary as to set the officer apart from all others.

SSA- 1) Awarded for performance in a distinguished manner beyond reasonable expectations. 2) A deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual.  The deed was intelligently performed; self-initiated or reactive; and may have involved  a risk of serious injury or loss of life to the recipient.

CCA- Awarded to an employee for courageous “at risk” performance of duty; to include the use of and/or defense against life threatening physical force(or other specific actions that elevate danger to the employee).

                                                                        -30-