State troopers honored for service

PUTNAMVILLE, Ind. (WTHI) - The Indiana State Police Department held an awards ceremony on Thursday, October 4, 2012 to recognize troopers, detectives, and civilians from around the state for their dedication to service, bravery, and devotion to the department and citizens of Indiana. The awards were presented by ISP Superintendent Paul Whitesell, Ph.D.

The idea of an awards ceremony was conceived by Superintendent Whitesell with the first ceremony held on February 22, 2006. He, along with others he consulted, determined there was a need to publicly recognize the achievements, deeds of self-sacrifice and accomplishments that all too often go without proper recognition.

The Indiana State Police Post at Putnamville had five award recipients. Those individuals and their accomplishment are as follows:

Trooper Brian Thomas received the Combat Action Award for his actions on January 15, 2012. Trooper Thomas responded to a request for assistance from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office involving a suicidal male at a residence near Cloverdale. Once at the residence, officers determined the man had barricaded himself inside a bathroom and appeared to be cutting himself. As the officers attempted to get the man to open the door and come out peacefully, the man suddenly opened the door and with knives in hand, charged Trooper Thomas and the other officers. Thomas un-holstered his sidearm and fired three rounds at the charging man as did other officers. The man ultimately died of his wounds. The Putnam County Prosecutor gave his decision that "it is my opinion that the shooting was justified and all officers acted in self-defense and defense of others". Thomas is a 1 ½ year veteran of the department.

Trooper Brandon Mullen and Trooper Ted Robertson was each awarded the Silver Star for their actions on August 17, 2011. The troopers were patrolling Interstate 70 near the 30 mile marker in Putnam County and came upon a serious crash involving two tractor-trailer combinations. They immediately noticed that one driver appeared to be trapped in the tractor after the dash area collapsed on the upper part of his legs. Mullen and Robertson were assisting EMS with first aid and extrication of the conscious driver when the cab began to fill with smoke. Mullen and Robertson ran to their commissions and retrieved fire extinguishers while directing bystanders to do the same. Robertson climbed onto the passenger steps of the cab and sprayed all available fire extinguishers into the cab area, as did Mullen who was in the interior cab area. The fiberglass truck cab began to shift and deteriorate from the fire causing Mullen and Robertson to abandon their efforts to save the driver. The conscious driver perished in the agonizing fire. Robertson and Mullen are six veterans of the ISP.

Trooper Brandon Mullen was also presented one of the department's Life Awards for 2011 as the top DUI enforcement officer for the Putnamville District. In 2011, Mullen arrested 95 impaired drivers and is to be commended for his efforts in eradicating impaired drivers from our roadways and reducing the number of traffic deaths related to impaired driving. Mullen was previously awarded the ISP Life Award for top DUI enforcement in 2009 and 2010. Mullen is a six year veteran of the ISP.

Master Trooper Todd Brown was recognized as the "2011 Trooper of the Year" for the Putnamville District. Brown was selected for this award by the command staff at the Putnamville Post as they recognized Brown's traffic and criminal enforcement efforts, community involvement and services performed above the department's normal expectation. His award states "Presented in recognition for high level of service, dedication, and professionalism exemplified in service to the citizens of Indiana and the Indiana State Police". Brown is a 17 ½ veteran of the ISP.