A Conversation with Indiana State Police Trooper of the Year, Master Trooper Jarrod Lents

By: Corbin Lingenfelter, News Director

Local Sources- The 2022 Indiana State Police Trooper of the Year is Jasper-District’s Master Trooper (M/Trp.) Jarrod Lents.

M/Trp. Lents, an eighteen year veteran of the State Police, works the day shift in Martin County. He was responsible for 1,449 traffic tickets and 5 Operating while intoxicated arrests in 2022. 

“When I was chosen as Trooper of the District,” M/Trp. Lents shared, “I told my parents there was no way, no prayer, I would get Trooper of the Year. When I got the phone call that I had got it, it was an honor and a shock.”

Lents is a three-time Trooper of the District recipient (2009, 2016, 2022), a Combat Action Award (2013) and a Purple Heart recipient (2013). The 2013 awards came from his actions during a robbery in Montgomery, IN. Officials say M/Trp. Lents exchanged gunfire with the suspect, despite being struck multiple times.

“When I started my career with ISP, my focus was to do my job well and not get fired,” he said. 

M/Trp. Lents is a graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School. He would go on to receive his degree in Criminology from Indiana State in 2004. That following fall, he would join ISP’s 64th recruit class. He was originally assigned to the Lafayette Post before transferring to Jasper.