Master Trooper James Bailey was struck and killed during a pursuit near the 326-mile marker on northbound Interstate 69 south of Auburn.

   He was assisting other troopers with weather-related accidents when a pursuit by an off-duty officer from the Fort Wayne Police Department approached the area.

   As he deployed Stop Sticks, the driver of the vehicle being pursued turned his vehicle directly towards Master Trooper Bailey, striking him. He was transported to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne where he died.

   The 42-year-old male driver was taken into custody and has been charged with murder, felony counts of resisting law enforcement by motor vehicle causing death and operating a motor vehicle with a controlled substance resulting in death.

   Master Trooper Bailey, from Auburn, was assigned to the Fort Wayne post. He is survived by his wife, Amy (née Garn); son, Joseph; daughter, Sophia; father, Bill Bailey; brother, Bill Jr. (Tiffany) Bailey; and sister, Theresa (Kevin) McBride.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This memorial honors an officer whose eligibility has been preliminarily determined to meet the criteria of a line of duty death.

An official memorial fund has been established on behalf of the family by the Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation. Donations may be made at ProFed Credit Union with six locations in Fort Wayne as well as branches in Angola, Auburn, Bluffton, Columbia City, Decatur, Kendallville and New Haven. Donations may also be made online by visiting the Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation website or by mail at 1710 South 10th Street, Noblesville, Indiana 46060-3835.

Condolences

Superintendent Douglas G. Carter
Indiana State Police
100 North Senate Avenue, Room N340
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2259
(317) 232-8248

Lt. R. Corey Culler, Commander
Fort Wayne District
Indiana State Police
5811 Ellison Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804-4709
(260) 432-8661
(800) 552-0976