State Troopers Mourn Loss Of Rookie Comrade

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(ROCHESTER) - Six months ago employees at the Indiana State Police Peru district were mourning the loss of seasoned Trooper David Rich who was gunned down by a motorist he stopped to help. Today, it’s a rookie trooper they’ve lost in the line of duty.

25-year-old Daniel Barrett of Logansport died Sunday night after crashing his patrol car into a tree near Rochester. Indiana State Police say Barrett last spoke with dispatchers at 10:40pm.

Radio operators tried to communicate with the trooper, but he did not respond. A few minutes later, a semi driver traveling on U.S. 31, near state road 110 called 911, reporting a car into a tree. A state trooper responded to the crash site, where he found his co-worker dead.

It is not immediately clear what caused Barrett to lose control and crash. Investigators do not suspect foul play, and they say weather does not appear to be a factor.

Barrett was in the newest class of recruits to graduate from the state police academy, and he was one of three new recruits assigned to the Peru district.

The former correction officer became a state trooper in July and received his patrol car in October. His vehicle was the only vehicle involved in the fatal crash.

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