(BREMEN) - Indiana State Police officers, retired employees, local officials and family members gathered Wednesday at the Indiana State Police Toll Road Post to honor the 49 state police employees who have died in the line of duty since the department was established in 1933.
The annual memorial service is part of a long-standing tradition held at Indiana State Police posts across the state during May to remember employees who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving Indiana communities.
During Wednesday's ceremony, Indiana State Police Area II Capt. Chad Larsh read the names of fallen employees as troopers stood at attention. Lt. Bruce Duhaime, commander of the Toll Road Post, shared the circumstances surrounding each employee's final call to duty. The service concluded with the playing of Taps.
The ceremony also serves as a tribute to the families of fallen officers, reaffirming that their loved ones' sacrifices will not be forgotten.
Two troopers assigned to the Toll Road Post have died in the line of duty.
Master Trooper David A. Deuter was killed July 16, 1998, during a traffic stop in LaGrange County when he was struck by a passing semi-tractor trailer while standing beside a vehicle he had stopped.
Trooper Richard T. Gaston died March 4, 1999, during a traffic stop in the final days of his field training. A westbound semi-tractor trailer left the roadway and struck the troopers' vehicle and the vehicle involved in the stop. Gaston and two occupants of the stopped vehicle were killed. His field training officer, Senior Trooper Bradley Kaizer, was seriously injured.
A complete list of Indiana State Police employees who have died in the line of duty is available through the Indiana State Police.