Seven new Indiana State Troopers reported for duty to the Indiana State Police Post in Lafayette Monday morning. The Troopers are from a class of 54 recruits who just graduated from the 78th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy on Thursday, December 13, 2018. During the 22 week training period, the recruits received over 600 hours of classroom instruction as well as nearly 400 hours of hands-on practical and scenario based training exercises. These new Troopers will now be assigned to train with veteran troopers for the next 13 weeks before receiving their own patrol car for solo patrol in Tippecanoe, Carroll, White, Benton, Warren, Fountain, Montgomery and Clinton Counties.
Probationary Trooper Tyler Turchi is from Vermillion County. He grew up working on the family farm. Tyler attended Indiana State University majoring in Criminal Justice. His father, a retired ISP Trooper, was his motivation to follow in his footsteps. His main patrol area will be the south zone which includes Benton, Warren, Fountain and Montgomery Counties.
Probationary Trooper Jonathan Fulfer is a native of Westville, Illinois and graduated from Westville High School in 2011. For six years he worked at HVAC Trade, a family owned and operated business. In 2016, he worked as an auxiliary officer for the Westville Police Department. In late 2016, Fulfer worked for the Vermillion County Illinois Sheriff’s Department as a correctional officer. Fulfer’s patrol area will be the south zone.
Probationary Trooper Brandon Helmer is from Evansville. Prior to joining the ISP, he worked for a small construction company in Newburgh, IN. Helmer graduated from Castle High School in 2013 and played lacrosse and football. He enjoys camping, shooting, martial arts and traveling. He will be working the north zone which includes Carroll, Clinton, White and Tippecanoe Counties.
Probationary Trooper Mason Wiley is a graduate of Lake Central High School. Before joining the ISP, he worked for the coroner’s office in Lake County for five years. His patrol area will be the north zone.
Probationary Trooper Benjamin Fike is originally from the Kokomo area. He attended Indiana University in Kokomo before joining the US Marine Corps where he still serves in the reserves. He will be patrolling the north zone.
Probationary Trooper Dakota Dwight Michael is from Crawfordsville and graduated from North Montgomery High School in 2014. In 2016, he achieved his associate’s degree in Conservation Law Enforcement from Vincennes University. He continued on at Vincennes in Homeland Security to finish up on a bachelor’s degree which he hopes to finish on line in the near future. Michael has worked in farming and as summer help for INDOT. His patrol area will be the south zone.
Probationary Trooper Thad L. Decker Jr is a native of Brazil, Indiana. He graduated from Northview High School where he played baseball. He went on to college at Olney Central where he received an associate’s degree in Physical Science and Art and also played baseball. He continued his baseball playing at the University of Southern Indiana and received a bachelor’s degree in professional Studies. Decker worked about one and a half years for Clay County Jail before entering the academy. His patrol will be the south zone.