Indiana State Police Indianapolis District Commander, Lieutenant Jeff Payne said, "Master Trooper Kennedy will be missed by all of us, she is an amazing leader and mentor. Her work ethic and dedication to public safety undoubtedly saved lives."
Master Trooper Kennedy is a native of Lafayette, Indiana and a 1983 graduate of William Henry Harrison High School. She went on to Ball State University where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice in 1988. Kennedy was accepted to the 48th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy which she successfully completed in December, 1990. Her first assignment was to the Redkey Post where she patrolled Grant and Blackford Counties. In 1992 she transferred back to her home district of Lafayette. In 1996 Kennedy was promoted to the rank of Corporal at the Lafayette District, and a short time later promoted to the rank of Sergeant to serve as Lafayette District's Public Information Officer. Throughout her career Shana showed a passion for teaching and mentoring others, which brought her the opportunity to transfer to the ISP Training Division in 2003. She served as a training coordinator for the state until 2008 when she took a voluntary demotion back to another passion of hers, patrolling the road. Kennedy has patrolled the west side of Indianapolis since 2008, still continuing to mentor other troopers through Emergency Vehicle Operations training and training new troopers at the district.
During her career Kennedy has been named the Trooper of the District twice, Lafayette District in 1995 and the Indianapolis District in 2012. During her career she has served as an EVO Instructor, control tactics instructor, a field training officer, a hostage crisis negotiator, and amember of the critical incident response team. Her passion and talent as an instructor has also given her the opportunity to instruct at the Indiana State Police Academy, the Indiana Basic Law Enforcement Academy and the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
Master Trooper Kennedy is looking forward to retirement, when asked what she will miss the most her answer was quite simple, "The people."
Thank you for your selfless service to our great state Master Trooper Kennedy.
M/Tpr. Kennedy's last day in uniform
M/Trp. Kennedy's rookie photo