(DeKalb County, IN) - An Indiana State Police trooper was killed in the line of duty by a driver fleeing police north of Fort Wayne.
The tragedy unfolded Friday afternoon around 3:30 p.m., as Fort Wayne police chased a car travelling at a high rate of speed along I-69.
50-year-old Master Trooper James R. Bailey was assisting with traffic backup on the interstate as a result of weather-related accidents south of Auburn. Responding to the oncoming police chase, Bailey was attempting to deploy stop sticks when he was struck by the fleeing vehicle. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries.
Bailey, of Auburn, was a 15-year State Police veteran. He leaves behind a wife, a son, and a daughter.
The fleeing driver, 42-year-old Terry Dewaine Sands II of Marion, 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. The DeKalb County Prosecutor will determine further legal actions.
“This is a tremendously sad day for the entire Indiana State Police family,” said Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter. “We will band together as we always do in support of Trooper Bailey's family, friends and co-workers.”
The Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation has established an official memorial fund to honor Master Trooper James R. Bailey.
Donations can be made at this weblink under the "Master Trooper James R. Bailey” section: https://indianafallen.org/fallen-heroes
Donations can also be made on Venmo by sending to: @indiana-fallen-heroes.
