James Bailey: Veteran Indiana state trooper dies after getting critically injured in high-speed chase
AUBURN, INDIANA: On Friday, an Indiana State Police officer was killed when a suspect in a high-speed chase hit him on Interstate 69 close to Auburn. The pursuit followed after he noticed a vehicle going at a very high speed.
Apparently, before the tragic incident occurred, James R Bailey, the Indiana State Police Master Trooper, was assisting other troopers to deal with a traffic backup on Interstate 69. It was near a weather-related crash that took place at around 4:30 pm in the afternoon.
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Bailey used stop sticks to try and stop the vehicle pursuit, but the statement claims that he was struck by the suspect's car and suffered serious injuries. He received immediate medical attention on the spot and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died from his wounds. As per Indian Police, the suspect was evading an officer from the Fort Wayne Police Department on I-69 approaching his location.
Bailey, a veteran, served the Indiana State Police for more than fifteen years as per Chicago Tribune. “This is a tremendously sad day for the entire Indiana State Police family. We will band together as we always do in support of Trooper Bailey’s family, friends, and co-workers,” Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G Carter said in the statement.
Trooper Bailey is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. The suspect driver involved in this incident, Terry Dewaine Sands II, 42, of Marion, IN, was taken into custody and has been incarcerated in the DeKalb County Jail on a preliminary charge of Resisting Law Enforcement Causing Death to Law Enforcement Officer, a Level 2 Felony, the statement said.
"Words are never adequate in times like this, but our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Master Trooper Bailey and the Indiana State Police. Such devastating and heartbreaking news," Allen County Sheriff's Department wrote in their tribute.
'Tragic 72 hours'
"Thoughts and prays with the Indiana State Police," Indiana Sheriff wrote in their message. He added, " It's been a rough 72 hours for Law Enforcement,". O Howard County Sheriff's Office wrote, "we want to offer our condolences to all of the family, friends, and colleagues of Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso, Deputy Asson Hacker with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, and Master Trooper James Bailey with the Indiana State Police". They further wrote, "Please keep the members of these departments and their families in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this most difficult of times."
While talking about the incident, they said, "On Wednesday, March 1st, Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso is shot and killed while chasing an armed suspect. This tragedy was witnessed in front of children playing at a school. Vazquez-Lasso leaves behind a wife and a young daughter." They further added, "On Thursday, March 2nd, Deputy Hacker was participating in training when he fell ill and was rushed to Deaconess Midtown hospital by the Evansville Police Department. Despite the heroic lifesaving efforts of the Deaconess staff, Deputy Hacker never regained consciousness. Deputy Hacker joined the Sheriff’s Office in December of 2022 and was completing his tier-one basic training. Hacker leaves behind a wife and three young children." The statement provided further details on Bailey's tragic death, "On Friday, March 3rd, Master Trooper Bailey was struck by a suspect vehicle while attempting to deploy a tire deflation device during a vehicle pursuit. He later succumbed to his injuries. He was a 15.5-year veteran assigned to patrol duties at the Fort Wayne post, specifically in DeKalb County. Bailey leaves behind a wife and two children. Virtus Junxit Mors Non-Separabit," said Captain Buckley.