Five Indiana State Police Troopers assigned to the Lowell Post were recognized yesterday for achieving a milestone in their respective careers, 25 years of service to the Department. Each of the five was a member of the 46th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy that graduated on November 13, 1988.
Superintendent Douglas G. Carter presented awards in the form of certificates and longevity medals to the following:
Master Trooper Mike Hemphill is a graduate of North Judson/San Pierre High School. Upon his appointment, Hemphill was assigned to the Lowell Post where he worked Starke and Pulaski Counties. During his career, Hemphill served as a Field Training Officer (FTO), was a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon (TIP), and spent fifteen years on SCUBA. Hemphill is a graduate of the Harley Davidson Police Motorcycle School which allows him to serve the Department as one of its motorcycle patrol units since 2007. He resides in Starke County with his family.
Sergeant Wanda Clay is a graduate of Horace Mann High School; she graduated with two Bachelor Degrees in Organizational Management and Criminal Justice from Calumet College. Clay also received a Master’s of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan in Indianapolis. Upon her appointment, Clay was assigned to the Indiana Toll Road where she worked Lake County. In 1996 she was promoted to Corporal and transferred to the Lowell District. Clay was promoted to Sergeant in 1998 and was transferred to Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division in 2009 to serve as a squad leader. During her career, Clay has served as a FTO, a member of TIP, was a 1st Responder Instructor, and was a Field Training Officer Coordinator. She resides in Lake County with her family.
Master Trooper Erik Gilliam is a graduate of Roosevelt High School; he also served in the United States Army for six years. Gilliam has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Safety Public Environmental Affairs. He is currently working on a Master’s Degree. Upon his appointment, Gilliam was assigned to the Lowell Post where he worked Lake County. He also served as a gaming investigator and was a member of TIP. After serving as a gaming investigator Gilliam was reassigned to the Indiana Toll Road until 2003 when he was reassigned to the Lowell Post. He resides
in Lake County with his family.
Master Trooper Lionel Douglas is a graduate of Roosevelt High School; he is also a graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute in Indianapolis. Upon his appointment, Douglas was assigned to the Lafayette Post where he worked White and Carroll Counties until he transferred to the Lowell Post two years later. Douglas has served as a FTO, a member of TIP, and served as a gaming investigator for ten years.
After serving as a gaming investigator Douglas was reassigned to the Lowell District where he works Lake County. He resides in Lake County with his family.
Master Trooper Dave Eggers is a graduate of Portage High School; he also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice/Public Administration from Indiana University. Upon his appointment, Eggers was assigned to the Lowell Post where he worked Porter and LaPorte Counties. In 1995 Eggers was transferred to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) and was assigned to the Indiana Toll Road for ten years. He was then assigned to the Federal Auditing in CVED for three years. Eggers was then transferred in CVED to work at the Lowell Post. He has also served as a FTO, a member of TIP, crash reconstructionists, and a Defensive Tactic’s Instructor. Eggers resides in Porter County with his family.
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**Pictured from left to right, Master Trooper Mike Hemphill, Sergeant Wanda Clay, Superintendent Douglas G. Carter, Master Trooper Erik Gilliam, Master Trooper Lionel Douglas, and Master Trooper Dave Eggers**
