State Police Officer Honored with Bronze Star

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, IN -  The Indiana State Police recently held an awards ceremony in Indianapolis to honor and recognize 19 troopers from around the state for their dedication to service, bravery, and devotion to the department and the citizens of Indiana.  

Trooper Al Martinez, who is assigned to the Toll Road Post in South Bend, was honored at this ceremony when he was presented a Bronze Star by Indiana State Police Superintendent Paul Whitesell, Ph.D.  The Bronze Star is awarded to a police employee for their distinguished service to the department.  Martinez was recognized as having performed at a level clearly above the expectations of his regularly assigned job responsibilities. 

Trooper Martinez, a five year veteran of the Indiana State Police, and resident of north east Indiana, volunteered to perform in an undercover capacity to assist the Indiana State Police Public Crimes and Corruption section, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.  The role assumed by Martinez necessitated that he be unarmed and alone with the suspect who had reportedly beaten some of the victims in the past and also had expressed a dislike for Hispanic individuals. 

On November 29, 2006, Martinez assumed his new role posing as a drug dealer.  The suspect, Christopher D. Spaulding, 27, Indianapolis, Indiana, was a reserve deputy with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department at the time.  An informant working with police told Spaulding about the money the “Mexican drug dealer” was carrying.  Spaulding conducted a traffic stop, in a police vehicle, in full uniform, and seized $7,000 from Martinez after he was handcuffed.  Spaulding gave half of the interdicted money to the police informant and kept the remaining money for himself.  

Martinez’s portrayal of a drug courier ended this six-month investigation with Spaulding’s arrest. Spaulding was sentenced in 2007 to 360 months federal imprisonment following his guilty plea to theft of government property, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, distribution of marijuana, and two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.  

Martinez has returned to his regular patrol duties on the east end of the Toll Road but continues to stay busy training new officers for the department as a Field Training Officer.  Martinez is also a Crash Re-constructionist, and a member of the Indiana State Police Clandestine Meth Lab Team.

Source: Indiana State Police

Technorati Tags: News State Al Martinez Christopher D. Spaulding Crime / Police Indiana State Police - ISP

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