Speaker Todd Huston District 37 | Official U.S. House headshot
Speaker Todd Huston District 37 | Official U.S. House headshot
The Indiana House of Representatives has approved a resolution proposed by State Representative Michelle Davis to honor fallen Indiana State Police Trooper Aaron N. Smith. The resolution urges the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename a section of U.S. 31 in memory of Trooper Smith, who was from Franklin.
"State Trooper Aaron Smith made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our state and local communities, and today we remember him with the passing of a resolution in his honor," Davis stated. "By renaming a portion of U.S. 31 in honor of Trooper Smith, we can ensure his sacrifice for our community and state will never be forgotten. This tribute would stand as a reminder of his life of service and dedication."
In 2023, Trooper Smith died after being struck by a fleeing vehicle while deploying stop sticks during a pursuit on Ronald Reagan Parkway in Hendricks County. He was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Davis proposes renaming the stretch between Smith Valley Road and County Line Road in Johnson County.
Smith, originally from Johnson County, graduated from Whiteland Community High School in 2008 and served in the U.S. Army National Guard before joining the Indiana State Police, where he earned two Lifesaving Awards over five years.
Trooper Smith's father, Garry W. Smith, along with Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess and members of the Indiana State Police, supported the resolution during testimony before the House Roads and Transportation Committee.
The resolution now proceeds to the Senate for further deliberation. If approved by the Indiana General Assembly, the Indiana Department of Transportation will implement the renaming project.
For more information about this initiative, visit iga.in.gov.