AUBURN, Ind. — A veteran Indiana State Police trooper was killed on Thursday afternoon in the line of duty after being struck by a vehicle during a pursuit in DeKalb County.
Master Trooper James R. Bailey, 50, was assisting fellow troopers with weather-related crashes on Interstate 69 near Auburn when he was hit by a vehicle evading Fort Wayne police. Bailey had attempted to use stop sticks to end the pursuit when he was struck.
Bailey was transported to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to a statement released by the Indiana State Police.
The suspect, Terry Dewaine Sands II, 42, of Marion, Indiana, was taken into custody and has been incarcerated in the DeKalb County Jail on a preliminary charge of Resisting Law Enforcement Causing Death to Law Enforcement Officer, a Level 2 Felony.
Bailey, a 15-year veteran of the Indiana State Police, is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter expressed his condolences to Bailey’s family and colleagues.
“This is a tremendously sad day for the entire Indiana State Police family. We will band together as we always do in support of Trooper Bailey’s family, friends, and co-workers,” Carter said in the statement.
The Indiana State Police was assisted at the scene by the Fort Wayne Police Department, DeKalb County Sheriff Department, Auburn Police Department, DeKalb County EMS, Auburn Fire Department, and troopers from neighboring Indiana State Police Peru Post.
The incident remains under investigation and all findings will be turned over to the DeKalb County Prosecutor for review and determination of any further charges that may be filed. No further information is available at this time.
According to state records, Bailey is the 47th Indiana State Police officer to die in the line of duty.
