INDIANAPOLIS — An Indiana State Police trooper was killed in a crash during a chase on the southwest side of Indianapolis Wednesday night.
On June 28, police tried to stop a vehicle that had been reported stolen. The driver of the vehicle did not stop, leading officers on a pursuit on Ronald Reagan Parkway, near Interstate 70.
Trooper Aaron Smith got out of his vehicle to deploy stop sticks and was hit by the suspect vehicle around 8:45 p.m.
Smith, 33, was transported to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition. Indiana State Police Supt. Doug Carter confirmed late Wednesday that Smith died from his injuries.
Carter said Smith had been with ISP for about five years. He first joined the department in 2018 but left for a time before returning to the force.
"He was a shining star for the state police," Carter said.
Smith, who lived in Franklin, Indiana, is survived by his wife, Carter said.
"I would trade places if I could take away her pain," he said.
Smith graduated from Whiteland High School in 2008, then got his degree in aviation management from Indiana State University, where he minored in unmanned air systems. He had also been a member of the Army National Guard since 2011, according to a 2018 release from Indiana State Police.
"This is a tremendously sad day for the entire Indiana State Police family. We will band together as we always do in support of Trooper Smith's family, friends and co-workers," Carter said.
Early Thursday morning, a police procession escorted Smith's body to the Marion County Coroner's Office.
State police said the three occupants of the vehicle that was being pursued — the driver and two passengers, including a juvenile — were taken to Indianapolis hospitals to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Ronald Reagan Parkway was closed for several hours while police conducted their investigation. Evidence will then be turned over to the Hendricks County Prosecutor's Office to determine what charges may be filed in the case.
Smith is the second Indiana State Police trooper killed while trying to slow a pursuit this year.
On March 3, Master Trooper James R. Bailey died when he was struck by a suspect vehicle while he tried to deploy stop sticks on Interstate 69 in DeKalb County.
The 50-year-old trooper, who was a 15 1/2-year veteran of ISP, died at a Fort Wayne hospital.
Reactions to Trooper Smith's death
"Janet and I offer our deepest condolences to the wife, family and close friends of Trooper Aaron Smith.
Trooper Smith lived and died a hero. His everlasting inspiration is a painful reminder of what the best among us sacrifice everyday when they leave the house. I encourage every Hoosier so inclined to right now stop and shower Trooper Smith’s bride with prayer and be there for his fellow law enforcement members so shaken by this heartbreaking loss."
IMPD:
"Our thoughts & prayers are with our brothers and sisters of the @IndStatePolice this evening. We may wear a different uniform, but we are still family. IMPD also wants to send our heartfelt condolences to the family of ISP Trooper Smith. RIP Trooper Smith, you are a true hero."
#FBIIndianapolis offers our deepest condolences to @IndStatePolice and the family, friends, and colleagues of Indiana State Trooper Aaron Smith who was killed in the line of duty Wednesday. #EOW.
"Our thoughts are with our sisters and brothers at the @IndStatePolice in the tragic loss of Trooper Aaron Smith. No matter what you’re called - trooper, officer, or deputy - in reality, we serve our communities together and when one of us is lost, we mourn together. RIP, sir."
"Indiana lost an exemplary young man tonight. State Trooper Aaron Smith was killed in the line of duty by a criminal fleeing police. He served his state with honor and Hoosiers have been robbed all the good this young officer had yet to do in his life.
Join me in praying for his wife and his fellow officers as they bears this loss."