LOGANSPORT — Indiana State Trooper Daniel Barrett was laid to rest Friday, five days after he died in a single-vehicle crash on U.S. 31 in Fulton County.
During services at First Assembly of God in Logansport, family, friends and fellow officers mourned the 25-year-old’s death. The gallery was sea of blue as police officers from around the state filled most of the pews.
Before the ceremony began, two roommates from the State Police Academy talked about the Daniel they knew. Trooper Dustin Bell, now stationed at the Redkey Post, roomed with Daniel for 15 weeks.
“He’d go out of his way to do anything for you,” Bell said. “He’s the nicest guy you could ever meet. He helped me out a lot with everything we had to do in the academy, getting through bookwork and keeping each other encouraged.”
Trooper Andrew Forgey out of the Seymour Post had similar memories.
“We had some good times and some good laughs,” Forgey said. “He helped me out with Spanish class in the last couple of weeks there. He really knew his Spanish, so he definitely helped us out with that.”
In the church’s hallway, two posters displayed snapshots of Barrett’s life. In one photo, Barrett held a large-mouth bass. In another, he knelt beside a deer. Another photo captured Barrett proudly showing his ISP badge.
As they talked about his life, members of Barrett’s family confirmed that he enjoyed fishing, hunting and being a state trooper. His sister, Laura, spoke to Daniel.
“Daniel, you weren’t just a little brother,” she said. “You were my best friend growing up. You always came to my rescue and protected me. Daniel, you are my hero, and you are my heart. I love you so much.”
Other speakers included ISP Superintendent Paul Whitesell, Father Daniel Coffey and the Rev. Tim McKaig.
Whitesell noted Daniel’s dedication to his job.
“He was willing to extend himself beyond his comfort zone and refused to turn a blind eye to a high-speed violator in the darkness,” Whitesell said. “He was doing his part to carry on the long-standing excellence of the Indiana State Police, an agency he had long desired to join.”
Late one night as Whitesell was making selections from Barrett’s recruiting class, the superintendent said Daniel’s application stood out among hundreds.
“I could tell the position was a calling to him, not just a job,” Whitesell said. “He had an enthusiasm that escapes the uninspired that trades time for a salary.
“I didn’t have him long. I am tremendously proud to have had him at all,” Whitesell said.
With his mother, father and two brothers at her side, Laura bent down and kissed her brother one last time.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Trooper laid to rest
Family, friends and law enforcement mourn the loss of Daniel Barrett.
- Local News
-
-
Entire U.S. 31 corridor now under contract
Every segment of the 13.1-mile, U.S. 31 Kokomo Corridor is now officially under construction.
-
Northwestern to graduate 130 seniors
Peyton Hite ended her last day in high school by going home and washing sheep.
“It’s part of living on a farm,” she said, with a laugh.
-
Drugs, cash seized, four arrested
Police from four agencies seized heroin, pills, syringes and cash, and arrested four people this week after a raid on a house on East Street, according to police reports.
-
Lafayette job fair expects Kokomo hopefuls
Organizers of a Lafayette job fair next week are reaching out to Kokomo residents looking for work.
-
Deputy prosecutor facing two charges
A Howard County deputy prosecutor will face two drunken-driving charges in connection with a traffic stop in Cicero.
-
Governor honors student
A Northwestern High School senior achieved a milestone Thursday when he became the first Indiana student ever to win both of the state’s top science awards.
-
Taylor considering staff reductions
A decline in enrollment has forced Taylor School Corp. to consider staff reductions, but the board won’t vote on the issue until next week, officials said Thursday.
-
Schools among top 20 in Indiana
Three area schools were ranked among the top 20 in Indiana this year by U.S. News and World Report.
Tri-Central Middle/High School, Eastern Junior-Senior High School and Tipton High School all made the list, which was an evaluation of 379 high schools across the state.
-
Library starts iPad rental program
Apple can’t make enough iPads to satisfy demand, but the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library now owns 15 iPad2 units.
Thursday, social media-conscious library patrons scrambled to borrow the tablet computers, on the first official day of the library’s iPad lending program.
-
Gov. names NW student 'Mr. Science' for 2012
Tyler Barnes becomes first Indiana student to be named Indiana's Top Young Scientist and Mr. Science.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
