FORT WAYNE – On Thursday, April 6, 2023, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Kurt Jack retired from the department with over thirty-nine years of dedicated and honorable service.
Master Trooper Jack’s law enforcement career has been a lifelong journey. He was literally born into the ISP family, as his father, the late Sergeant Thomas Jack, was also a state trooper assigned to the now-decommissioned Ligonier Post in Noble County. Although never confirmed, there have often been rumors suggesting that some of Kurt’s “Safe Driving Miles” may have actually been logged long before he became a state trooper. Kurt graduated from Michigan State University-East Lansing in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. His professional policing career began as a Patrolman with the Elkhart Police Department shortly after graduating from college.
Master Trooper Jack was appointed as a trooper on December 25, 1983, after graduating from the Indiana State Police 41st Recruit Academy. He was assigned to the Fort Wayne Post after graduation and would remain here for the duration of his entire career.
During his thirty-nine years, M/Trooper Jack has primarily been assigned to road patrol duties in the counties of Adams, Wells, Jay, and Blackford. He was extensively trained and highly skilled in several specialty certifications and assignments, including thirty-four years of experience as a certified Technical Crash Investigator with Vehicle Dynamics, as well as aircraft crash investigations, Background Investigator, and Field Training Officer. The latter two assignments directly involved him in the processes of hiring, training, and mentoring numerous Indiana State Police personnel.
Regardless of assignment, Master Trooper Jack had a well-known reputation for his exceptional professionalism. He always treated people with the utmost respect and fairness, his integrity was unquestionable, his case work was always meticulous and precise, and he always maintained an impeccably professional appearance. He has been a great example of what it means to be an Indiana State Trooper.
In 2014, M/Trooper Jack was named the Trooper of the Year for the Fort Wayne Post, and he achieved over 1.6 million safe driving miles over the course of his career.
Kurt has spent his entire adult life as a resident of Wells County. He has three adult children – Brian, Amy, and Chris; and five grandchildren. Moving into retirement, Kurt has been appointed as the new Police Chief for the town of Ossian.
For the men and women of the Fort Wayne Post, it has been an honor to work alongside Master Trooper Jack for all these years. He will be greatly missed, and we wish him well in his new position.
