MARSHALL CO.- The career of an Indiana State Trooper is a journey that can span decades serving the citizens of Indiana. Two local troopers from the Indiana State Police Bremen Post have hit a career milestone of serving for twenty-five years. Sergeant Mick Dockery and Master Trooper Brian Hoffman are both graduates of the 58th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy, graduated in December 1999.
Sergeant Dockery was assigned to the Bremen Post after graduating from the Recruit Academy. He has also worked as a Gaming Agent with the Indiana Gaming Commission. During his tenure with the Indiana State Police, Dockery has been a K9 handler, Field Training Officer (FTO), emergency vehicle operations instructor, defensive tactics instructor, diver on the Underwater Search and Recovery Team (USRT) and been a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon (TIP). Dockery has also had temporary assignments to investigations and the Drug Enforcement Section (DES). He has also held certifications as a Level III Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) inspector and has been a Special Operations K9 Master Trainer.
Dockery has been recognized for keeping Indiana’s roadways safe from drunk drivers by receiving the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award in 2001, 2004, and 2020. In 2020, Dockery was awarded the DUI Life Award and DUI District Award, as well as being named the Trooper of the District and Trooper of the Year. Dockery was recognized in 2021 with the District DUI Award and Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Traffic Safety All Stars Award. He is also the recipient of the Combat Action Award.
Master Trooper Hoffman was assigned to the Toll Road Post following graduation from the Recruit Academy before transferring to the Bremen Post in 2004. Once at the Bremen Post, Hoffman patrolled primarily Elkhart County. Hoffman moved to the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section (DES) in 2009. Hoffman was part of an ATF Task Force from 2015 through 2017 while in DES. Hoffman returned to road patrol duties at the Bremen Post again in 2017, where he patrolled Elkhart County.
Hoffman has dedicated many years of service to the Indiana State Police Marijuana Eradication Program. He has served as the Eradication Coordinator from 2009-2015 and again from 2017 through this year.
During his tenure as a trooper, Hoffman served as a Field Training Officer (FTO) and on the Tactical Intervention Platoon (TIP). Hoffman has been recognized as the Bremen Trooper of the District, receiving this distinction in 2007 and 2018. He has also been recognized for outstanding work removing drunk drivers from the roadways in Elkhart County by receiving awards in 2005-2008.