Senior Trooper Stinson, a Crawford County native, and 11 year veteran, graduated from the 68th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy on December 21st, 2007. Upon graduating from the recruit academy S/Trp. Stinson was assigned to the Sellersburg Post where he has served for the last 11 years.

During his career Stinson has received numerous awards and is highly decorated for his commitment to the citizens of Indiana.

Awards

2009- Trooper of the District, Sellersburg Post

          DUI Life Award # 1 in the state, 255 Impaired Drivers Apprehended

          Meritorious Service Award- OWI Enforcement Efforts

2010- DUI Life Award # 1 in state, 255 Impaired Drivers Apprehended

          Meritorious Service Award- OWI Enforcement Efforts

2011- DUI Life Award # 1 in state, 212 Impaired Drivers Apprehended

          Meritorious Service Award-OWI Enforcement Efforts

2011- ***Silver Star Award***- In the early morning hours of November 28th, 2011, Stinson was travelling north on State Street in New Albany when a pedestrian alerted him to a nearby crash where a Dodge Neon had struck a tree and then erupted into flames. Stinson immediately responded as he called for additional assistance. Upon arriving, Stinson used his fire extinguisher to break out the back window of the burning car with the intent of extinguishing the fire. Moments later, McCooe arrived on the scene and together both troopers repeatedly attempted to remove the driver and extinguish the flames until both of their fire extinguishers were empty.

During their attempts to extinguish the flames and remove the driver from the burning vehicle, Stinson and McCooe had to exit the burning vehicle several times to get breaths of fresh air. With the troopers keeping the fire at bay the New Albany Fire Department was able to arrive and extinguish the flames, extricate the driver, ultimately saving his life.  

2012- DUI Life Award # 2 in state, 183 Impaired Drivers Apprehended

2013- DUI Life Award # 2 in state, 191 Impaired Drivers Apprehended

2014- DUI Life Award # 5 in state, 54 Impaired Drivers Apprehended (Stinson also served as an ISP Academy Recruit Counselor for the 73rd Recruit Academy).

2015- Top DUI Award, Sellersburg Post

2016- DUI Life Award # 3 in state, 117 Impaired Drivers Apprehended

 Stinson currently has over 1,500 Operating While Intoxicated arrests in his career.

Specialty Assignments

Tactical Intervention Platoon (Riot Team)

Honor Guard

Field Training Officer

Firearms Instructor

Patrol Rifle Instructor

Department Armorer with the Sig Sauer 227 and M4 Rifle.

S/Trp. Stinson enjoys competitive shooting and spending time with his family. Stinson says with his transfer home he would like to start fishing again and reconnect with the locals. Stinson wants to focus on community policing and combating the methamphetamine/heroin problems that face our communities.

 Stinson will be assigned to patrol primarily Spencer County on midnight shift.

This morning at approximately 6:45 am, the Indiana State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on I-65 northbound near the 51 mile marker that resulted in a lengthy closure of I-65 after a tractor trailer overturned and caught fire.

The initial investigation by Trp. Seth Davidson indicated that a 2017 Freightliner hauling a box trailer, being driven by Gary L. Garza, age 61, Girard, Ohio was traveling northbound in the right lane of I-65 near the 51 mile marker.  Garza’s vehicle changed lanes into a northbound 2012 Ford Escape being driven by Juan Soto, age 57, Griffin, GA.  Soto’s vehicle was pushed into the guardrail in the median of I-65 before coming to a stop.  Garza’s vehicle struck a guardrail and concrete bridge barrier before it overturned in the middle of the northbound lanes of I-65 and caught fire.

Both Garza and a 60 year old male passenger were able to escape the commercial motor vehicle before it was fully engulfed with flames.  The passenger was transported by ambulance to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana for treatment of smoke inhalation. Soto and a 14 year old female passenger in his vehicle were transported to Schneck Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The commercial motor vehicle and trailer were destroyed by the fire.  The trailer contained general merchandise for QVC.

As a result of the collision, the northbound lanes of I-65 were closed for approximately 7.5 hours for crash investigation and road repair.  During the closure, traffic was diverted at the Uniontown exit to US 31.

The crash remains under investigation but drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Seymour Police Department, Seymour Fire Department, Redding Township Fire Department, Hamilton Township Fire Department, Jackson-Washington Township Fire Department, Indiana Department of Transportation, E & B Paving, and 31 Wrecker Service.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day and is forecasting high ozone levels for Thursday, June 7, 2018 in the following area: 

• Southeast Indiana – Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Scott and Washington

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone by making simple changes to their daily habits. You can:

• Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation
• Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip
• Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
• Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds
• Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above

Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors. 

IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. To learn more about ozone or sign up for air quality forecasts, visit www.SmogWatch.IN.gov or download their iPhone App. 

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather bake vehicle exhaust, factory emissions and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties. 

About the ozone standard: On October 1, 2015, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) finalized the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone. The new rule sets more stringent standards, lowering both the primary (health-based) and secondary (welfare-based) standards from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 70 ppb. IDEM encourages all Hoosiers to be proactive and help reduce ozone for those who may be sensitive.

An autopsy was conducted Friday on the body of a deceased female that was located in Paoli on Thursday. 

Results from the autopsy revealed the deceased to be Kaylea Hickman, 23, Paoli.

Based on medical reports provided from the Orange County Coroner’s Office there is no evidence to support criminal activity in the death of Kaylea Hickman. Indiana State Police investigators have closed the investigation.  

Thursday, Indiana State Police Troopers were contacted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Paoli Police Department to assist with an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of Hickman, who was reported missing on May 26th, 2018. 

Indiana State Police Detective Shane Staggs along with numerous Indiana State Troopers, Orange County Sheriffs Deputies and Paoli Police Officers conducted a canvass search of the area near Northeast 3rd Street and Railroad Avenue in Paoli. 

During the course of the investigation an unidentified deceased female was located in a wooded area near Northeast 3rd Street and Railroad Avenue in Paoli.