JASPER – At a recent post-meeting, Lieutenant Jason Allen, Jasper District Commander, announced Master Trooper Jarrod Lents has been selected as the 2022 “Trooper of the District.”
M/Trp. Lents will be recognized later this year in Indianapolis by Superintendent Douglas G. Carter, along with other Troopers who were selected by their respective districts.
“This honor is bestowed upon a deserving Trooper that exemplifies the Department’s high standards and expectations as related to the overall mission,” emphasized Lt. Allen, “and a Trooper’s professionalism, integrity, well-rounded work ethic, service to the community both on and off duty, and assigned responsibilities are just a few areas taken into consideration when nominated.”
M/Trp. Lents graduated from Bedford North Lawrence High School in 1999. In May 2004, Lents graduated from Indiana State University with a BS in Criminology. In October 2004, Lents graduated from the 64th Indiana State Police Recruit class and was assigned to the Lafayette Post for two years before transferring to the Jasper District.
AWARDS:
- Combat Action Award-2013
M/Trp. Lents was awarded the Combat Action Award & Purple Heart for his actions on June 17, 2013. M/Trp. Lents, at the time, a nine-year veteran of the Indiana State Police, responded to a report of a disturbance at the Black Oak Armament gun shop in Montgomery. The Daviess County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center was listening to a 911 call from the gun shop owner, who was arguing and struggling with an individual in his store. During this initial confrontation, the suspect fired a round from his handgun, but thankfully no one was struck.
M/Trp. Lents arrived a short time later and parked behind the suspect’s vehicle as he was attempting to leave the business. M/Trp. Lents exited his commission and approached the suspect’s vehicle when the suspect pointed a 9mm handgun at him. M/Trp. Lents knocked the handgun away and proceeded to find a position of cover while exchanging gunfire with the suspect. M/Trp. Lents knew he had been shot at least two times during the initial contact with the suspect and believed his wounds were possibly fatal. M/Trp. Lents continued exchanging gunfire with the suspect until the suspect was fatally wounded. M/Trp. Lents was shot at least five times during the exchange but was wearing his ballistic vest, which most likely saved his life. The investigation later indicated that the suspect was attempting to rob the gun shop and had been prescribed medication two weeks prior that had drastically changed his demeanor.
- Purple Heart- 2013
- Jasper Post, Trooper of the District- 2009
- Jasper Post, Trooper of the District-2016
M/Trp. Lents resides in Martin County with his wife Susan and family.
