INDIANAPOLIS – Each year Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter hosts an awards ceremony to recognize troopers and state police civilian employees throughout the state for various accomplishments and awards. Friday morning at the Indiana Government Center nine troopers from the Indiana State Police Indianapolis District received awards.
Lieutenant Josh Watson, Indianapolis District Commander, said. “These troopers have an important role in each of their communities, they exemplify the service of an Indiana State Trooper and they are deserving of this recognition.”
Trooper Brandon Fletcher & Trooper Christopher Stout Life Saving Award
July 11, 2020, at approximately 1:35 a.m., Trooper Brandon Fletcher and Trooper Christopher Stout were patrolling around East 21st Street and Kenyon Street in Indianapolis, when a vehicle approached them honking while the occupants were frantically waving their arms attempting to get the attention of the Troopers. As the honking vehicle stopped the doors quickly opened and several teenage men exited the vehicle. Troopers Fletcher and Stout quickly observed that one of the male subjects had been shot in the upper arm and was suffering from arterial bleeding.
After a quick assessment of the wound, and the large amount of blood loss in the vehicle and the subject’s clothes, Trooper Fletcher realized the male subject would quickly suffer from extensive blood loss if nothing was done. Trooper Fletcher, with the assistance of Trooper Stout, immediately placed his CAT Tourniquet on the subject’s upper arm, stopping the arterial flow of blood.
Trooper Fletcher and Trooper Stout are to be commended for their extraordinary conduct in saving the life of a fellow human being.
Trooper Taylor McCluskey Life Saving Award
On August 19, 2021, at approximately 4:57 p.m., Trooper Taylor McCluskey responded to a dispatch of a vehicle crash between a passenger car and a semi tractor-trailer on I-70 westbound near the 69.8 mile-marker. Trooper McCluskey arrived at the scene and was beginning her crash investigation when the semi driver collapsed and appeared to be having a seizure. Trooper McCluskey immediately began to render aid after calling for medical assistance. Trooper McCluskey placed the driver in the recovery position and attempted to wake him up as he went in and out of consciousness.
Trooper McCluskey noticed that the driver’s breathing was very labored, and he was foaming at the mouth. Soon after the driver stopped breathing. Trooper McCluskey began performing chest compressions and gave rescue breaths for over five minutes until EMS arrived. Once EMS arrived on scene, they continued with CPR and had to use an AED to resuscitate the driver. Wayne Township Fire Department stated that if it was not for Trooper McCluskey’s quick life-saving actions that the semi driver would not have survived. The driver was transported to Indiana University West Hospital and survived his heart attack.
Trooper Christian Guerra Beltran 2020 Indianapolis ‘Trooper of the District’
Each year a trooper is chosen from each Indiana State Police District to be recognized as the Trooper of the District. Trooper Guerra-Beltran was nominated by his supervisor for his exemplary work ethic and dedication to serving his community. In 2020 Christian primarily patrolled the overnight shift, his efforts resulted in the following statistics:
- 107 vehicle crashes investigated
- 800 traffic contacts (tickets / warnings)
- 124 people arrested for a total of 192 criminal charges, 153 of which had felony related charges or felony warrants
- 20 drunk driving arrests
- 15 drug posession cases
- 9 Habitual Traffic Violator Felony Arrests
- 9 Identity Deception Arrests
Trooper Cameron Bottema Indianapolis District ‘Top Drunk Driving Arrests’
During 2020 Trooper Bottema arrested 44 drunk drivers on Indianapolis area roadways. Cameron’s commitment to DUI enforcement is evident, during his six year career he has arrested nearly 750 drunk drivers.
Sergeant Chris Hanson, Sergeant Aryaun Smith and Trooper Adarius Washington – Commendation Award
On July 18, 2021, Detectives Aryaun Smith and Chris Hanson, along with Troopers Adarius Washington were called out to investigate an interstate shooting. It was reported that a female had suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. When the troopers arrived at the hospital, information about who was in the vehicle at the time of the shooting was unclear.
Based on their investigation the troopers were able to determine there was a third person in the vehicle at the time of the shooting and the whereabouts of that person were unknown. Using investigative techniques the third victim was located at a residence with an injury consistent with a gunshot wound to the leg.
Medical personnel commended the Troopers for their quick response to this almost tragic scene. Detective Smith, Detective Hanson and Trooper Washington’s actions and dedication to duty are in keeping with the finest traditions of law enforcement and reflect great credit upon themselves and the Indiana State Police.
