INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Indiana State Police held its annual awards ceremony in Indianapolis. Two troopers from Evansville were among those that received awards. Trooper Tanner Hurley received the 2022 Trooper of the District Award and Senior Trooper Ross Rafferty received a Lifesaving Award.
Trooper Tanner Hurley – 2022 Trooper of the District Award
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Trooper Tanner Hurley is the recipient of the 2022 Trooper of the District Award at the Evansville District. Hurley is a four-year veteran of the Indiana State Police and primarily works the late shift in Knox and Gibson Counties.
Although Trooper Hurley had 91 days off the road in 2022 due to training, honor guard details, and other special assignments, he still arrested 120 criminal defendants on 207 criminal charges with 54 of those being felonies. He also initiated over 1,600 traffic stops resulting in 59 impaired drivers being removed from our highways.
Trooper Hurley is also a drug recognition expert (DRE) and is trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs. “Trooper Hurley strives to make our roadways and communities safe,” said Lieutenant Brian Bailey, Commander of the Evansville District. It is worth noting, Trooper Hurley was also the recipient of this award last year.
Senior Trooper Ross Rafferty – Lifesaving Award
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On June 8, 2022, Indiana State Police arrived at an Evansville apartment to conduct a drug investigation and to execute an arrest warrant for a female, but no one inside would open the door. Eventually, troopers were able to obtain a search warrant and entered the apartment. Troopers believed the female entered the crawlspace from a hole in the floor they discovered in the bathroom. Evansville Police assisted with a pole camera and other technology, but they were not able to locate the female.
Evansville Fire Department arrived and removed additional exterior vents, but they were unsuccessful too. Troopers were concerned the female suspect may be experiencing a narcotic overdose.
Trooper Rafferty entered the crawlspace through the bathroom floor and belly crawled through multiple sections of the crawlspace following the cobweb disturbance until the female was located. The female was found to be lethargic, and conscious, but confused and slow to respond to questions. She eventually began to go into a full-body seizure.
Trooper Rafferty removed dangerous debris immediately surrounding the suspect and provided medical support. The suspect’s condition went back and forth from unconscious to violent full-body seizures during the extrication. Evansville Fire Department cut a large hole in the floor of an apartment several units down from the original apartment to create a rescue portal.
Once EFD created access through the floor, Trooper Rafferty assisted in the confined space extrication by securing the suspect on a backboard and helping with dragging and lifting her out of the crawlspace. The suspect regained consciousness during the final moments of the extrication. She was transported to Ascension St. Vincent Hospital and cleared before being taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail.
“Their persistence and dedication lead to not only the criminal apprehension of a wanted felon but more importantly the preservation of her life,” said Lieutenant Brian Bailey, Evansville District Commander.
