Braun, ISP Tout SE Indiana Safety Success

(Provided Photo)

(Versailles, IN) – Governor Mike Braun joined Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott in Southeastern on Thursday to recognize the major public safety achievements of Versailles Post troopers this year.

These include solving decades-old cold cases, dismantling drug trafficking organizations, and removing dangerous criminals from Indiana communities.

“Our Indiana State Police are relentless in their pursuit of justice, whether that means solving crimes that have gone unanswered for decades or dismantling the drug trafficking organizations bringing dangerous narcotics into our communities,” said Gov. Braun. “The work being done by the Versailles District reflects the professionalism, persistence and commitment to public safety that Hoosiers see from law enforcement across our state.”

During the visit, Gov. Braun received a briefing from district leadership on major enforcement efforts across the region, including narcotics investigations, border security enforcement, and significant investigative breakthroughs.

Recent pubic safety successes include:

  • Armed with the strength of the investigation details, prosecutors were able to aggressively pursue cases against those arrested. Judges collectively ordered 251 years executed to the Indiana Department of Corrections for those convicted.
  • Aggressive drug enforcement operations initiated more than 30 new cases, executed dozens of search warrants and controlled buys, filed charges against 39 defendants, and removed nearly 10 pounds of narcotics, five illegal firearms and thousands of dollars in suspected drug proceeds from Indiana communities.
  • Major investigative breakthroughs, including solving the 44-year-old murder of Clifford Smith in Jackson County, clearing a 15-year-old Jefferson County sexual assault case, and identifying the true suspect in a Jefferson County homicide after investigators uncovered evidence that corrected an initial wrongful arrest.
Gov. Braun said these accomplishments demonstrate his administration’s commitment to supporting law enforcement and ensuring Indiana remains aggressive in disrupting criminal organizations, solving violent crimes, and keeping Hoosier communities safe.
Also attending the event were ISP Assistant Superintendent Colonel Christopher Hill, a former Versailles Post trooper; Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel, and Jefferson County Prosecutor David Sutter.
Hertel and Sutter talked about the partnerships their offices have formed with area law enforcement agencies that they say have resulted in safer Southeastern Indiana communities.