State police honor fallen comrades
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Gathered to remember those Indiana State Police killed in the line of duty, officers and staff members paid tribute to 42 fallen comrades at services in front of the Versailles District 42 Post on Thursday, May 6.

With blue skies and warm temperatures greeting them, the present active personnel along with a number of retirees and local law officials stood in solemn formation as Lieutenant James Hickerson, district commander of the Sellersburg Post, and Lieutenant Marty McKinney of this post presided at the memorial service.

The 11:00 a.m. ceremony opened with an invocation by the Rev. Charles Flory, post chaplain and ended with a benediction by the Rev. Chris Hopper. South Ripley Senior Band Member Christina Lawburgh played "Taps" following the roll call of deceased members.

Two from the Versailles District - Trooper William R. Rayner and Trooper Andrew P. Winzenread - were among the 42 remembered.

Trooper Rayner, who received his appointment on September 1,1957, was shot and killed on December 18, 1966, by escapees from a Kentucky State Prison. The escapees were traveling in a stolen car along I-74 in Decatur County.

Trooper Winzenread, appointed on December 4, 1994, was struck and killed by a passing tractor-trailer on April 25, 1997, as he assisted a stranded motorist along I-74 in Decatur County.

Families of the deceased troopers attended the service and the luncheon which followed at the Versailles Post.

A monument erected near the flagpole at the front of the building bears this message: "As we that are left behind grow old, they shall not grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn at the going down of the sun and in the morning. We
will remember them."

The monument was presented by the Indiana State Police Alliance in 1993.

To conclude the service, Lieutenant McKinney asked that all remember in prayer those troopers in the armed forces, the reserves, and the National Guard. He mentioned Matt Haviland, Kevin Rohr, and paid special tribute to Rickey Love, who is currently at Camp Atterbury awaiting his reconnaissance unit's being sent to Afghanistan.

The three were listed in the Memorial Service program as part of the Versailles District's 94 active personnel.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

Versailles District 42 of the Indiana State Police remembers fallen comrades at the annual memorial service on Thursday, May 6, at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Versailles State Police Post. Lieutenant Marty McKinney and Lieutenant James Hickerson presided at the roll call of Indiana troopers killed in the line of duty.