Indiana State Police are mourning the loss of Master Trooper James R. Bailey, who died in a vehicle crash on I-69 south of Auburn. Bailey, who had been with the Indiana State Police for over 15 years, was helping other troopers with traffic backups caused by weather-related vehicle crashes when the incident occurred. Preliminary investigations indicate that Bailey deployed stop sticks to de-escalate a situation with a suspect driver who was evading an officer from the Fort Wayne Police Department, but was hit by the suspect’s vehicle, causing critical injuries. The suspect, Terry Dewaine Sands II, has been charged with Resisting Law Enforcement Causing causing the death of a law enforcement officer. Bailey is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter and Governor Holcomb expressed their condolences to Bailey’s family, friends, and colleagues. Indiana State Police have announced that a memorial fund has been set up in honor of fallen officer Master Trooper James Bailey. Donations can be made at indianafallen.org/fallen-heroes or by Venmo-ing funds to @indiana-fallen-heroes.
