Published: May 16, 2008 10:01 pm            

Memorial service honors Indiana State Police officers who gave their lives in the line of duty

TERRE HAUTE — Some professions can ill afford mistakes.

The day-to-day as an Indiana State Police officer demands supreme precision. But in some cases, the blunders of others can make casualties of those who seek such perfection. The officers whose deaths tell tales that echo this sentiment were honored Friday.

An annual memorial service was staged by the Terre Haute post of the ISP at the Pfizer Plant Recreation Facility to honor the 45 officers who gave their lives in the line of duty since ISP’s inception 75 years ago. The plant hosted about 40 police officers from the 54th District, who joined to commemorate officers spanning from 1933 to January 2008.

Capt. Danny Price and Lt. Mike Eslinger stood before both active and retired troopers and detectives. The two men read the names, state post and when and how each officer died. Terre Haute South Vigo High School band members Lindsey Shattuck and Matt Kendall closed the memorial by playing their trumpets.

Eslinger said reading the details was no easy task.

“It’s always emotional,” Eslinger said. “And you’re thankful every day that you have the people that sit next to you. You’re just thankful to have each other.”

In a speech after the reading, Price said the memorial service was a way to remember and pay respects to the fallen officers.

“The greatest tribute in our power to pay our departed comrades is the reverent acknowledgment of our obligation to remember them,” Price said. “It has been said that the strength of the Indiana State Police Department lies in the strength of its people. You and I will long remember the deeds of our deceased.”

One of those who clearly remembers is retired Terre Haute post Sgt. Bob Phillips, who said a prayer before the closing of the memorial. He retired in 1987 after a 30-year career with ISP. Phillips said his high regard for the ISP keeps him coming around. He also said that today is much more dangerous then it was when he was on the force, though 19 of the 45 officers died during his stint on the streets.

“It’s much more dangerous now than what it was when I first came along,” Phillips said. “We never even considered wearing an armored vest until the latter part of the ‘80s. And they didn’t require, but advised us to do so.”

Bob Phillips’ wife, Ruth Phillips, was there through all the perils that come with being an officer. Ruth Phillips said they enjoyed life when her husband was on force, though it was a 24-hour job. She said for the most part it was good, though she’s had a few worrisome nights.

Eslinger said it’s important to keep Bob Phillips and his cohorts from the past in the ISP picture, stating that their presence helps the department to remember where it came from.

“It is absolutely imperative that we not forget the people who came before us and made the Indiana State Police what it is today,” Eslinger said. “We need to keep those people in our thoughts and prayers as they get older. And be thankful to them for paving the way for us to have the reputation and integrity that the department enjoys today.”

Eslinger went on to say the memorial gave the ISP a chance to honor those who have shown such devotion to the force.

“Unfortunately,” Eslinger said. “In our profession, our worlds can be turned upside down in an instance. We can be asked to pay the ultimate sacrifice and give our lives. And this gives us the opportunity to reflect on those people who have given all they had to give to the state of Indiana and the country.”

DeAntae Prince can be reached at (812)231-4214 or deantae.prince@tribstar.com

        

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