Three troopers and two motor carrier inspectors from the Versailles District received awards from Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter during a ceremony April 27 at the Indiana State Government Center in Indianapolis.
Master Motor Carrier Inspector Mary Eglen of Cortland was given a Life Saving Award for her actions while off duty and traveling in December 2017.
While eating dinner at a restaurant in Monrovia, California, a person began choking inside the restaurant. Eglen successfully administered the Heimlich maneuver, which dislodged the object from the woman’s throat, effectively saving her life.
Eglen works out of the Interstate 65 Seymour truck scales. She is a 28-year veteran of the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division.
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“It was quite an honor, and it’s just something anybody would do. It was nothing special,” she said. “I’m very honored and humbled.”
Eglen was with her granddaughter in California to meet her daughter and to help Bobby Eldridge with Prestigious Affairs of Seymour with his work in the Rose Parade. The two went to dinner, and the woman began choking when Eglen performed the procedure.
“At first, I was kind of scared because that doesn’t happy every day, but I knew what I had to do,” Eglen said.
That’s when her training from the Indiana State Police kicked in, and Eglen helped save the woman’s life.
“She was very grateful and very gracious, and I think everybody would do the same,” she said.
Trooper Christopher Lockman of Seymour was given a Life Saving Award and a Silver Star for his efforts in saving the life of a man trapped in floodwaters on a Jackson County road May 7, 2017.
The incident occurred on County Road 50N when a vehicle was swept off of the roadway in heavy floodwaters and began to sink. Lockman and officers with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department arrived on scene to attempt a rescue of the driver, who was disabled.
Lockman, who is an ISP dive team member, entered the water with the assistance of other officers. He was able to reach the man and rescue him from the vehicle just prior to the vehicle being completely submerged in water. The officers pulled the man to dry ground and provided medical assistance.
Lockman, who grew up in Brownstown, is a seven-year veteran of the state police.
Master Motor Carrier Inspector William St. John was given the Ralph Reed Award as the Indiana Motor Carrier Inspector of the Year. The award is given out annually to an inspector who shows exemplary work ethic, motivation and dedication toward completing the mission of the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division.
St. John worked out of the I-74 West Harrison truck scales. He retired earlier this month after serving 30 years with the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division.
Trooper Jordan Craig was honored as being chosen as the Versailles District’s Trooper of the District for 2017. Craig is a K-9 handler and a two-year veteran of the Indiana State Police. He currently serves on the Indiana State Police Versailles criminal patrol team. The award is given annually to the trooper from each ISP district who shows exceptional work ethic and excels in criminal investigations and community relations.
Trooper James Herbert was honored with a DUI Enforcement Award at the ceremony. He was recognized for having arrested 63 intoxicated drivers during 2017, which led the Versailles District. The 63 arrests also ranked him in the top five for DUI arrests among all Indiana troopers. He is a three-year veteran of the Indiana State Police.
Versailles District Commander Lt. Paul Adams said the work of these Indiana State Police employees shouldn’t go unnoticed.
“Their dedication and commitment to the mission of the Indiana State Police has provided an important public service that has made our communities better places to live,” Adams said.