Shown from left , are new probationalry troopers Pfefferkorn, Mitchel, Kukelhan, and Wooldridge. Photo provided by the Indiana State Police.

News Release

FORT WAYNE — Fourteen probationary troopers graduated from the 88th Indiana State Police Academy, Lateral Class on Thursday, Nov. 6. All the graduates come from a law enforcement background and have served at least three years as a police officer for other police departments. Four of those probationary troopers are being assigned to the Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post (District 22) and will begin their next phase of training, which includes a 14-week field training period riding with veteran Troopers. Upon successful completion of field training, the Troopers will be assigned a state patrol vehicle and will begin solo patrol.

These officers have already completed an eight-week academy, including more than 250 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques, as well as hands-on training at the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.  The curriculum included criminal and traffic law instruction, emergency vehicle operations, psychology, crash investigation, self-defense, first responder, and other general law enforcement-related training.

We welcome these four new probationary Troopers to the Fort Wayne Post (District 22).

Caleb Wooldridge – Probationary Trooper Wooldridge is from Warsaw and graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 2015. After high school he attended Anderson University, graduating in 2019 earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Wooldridge started his career in law enforcement at the Columbia City Police Department in 2019. During his time with Columbia City PD, he served as a patrol officer and was promoted to Patrol Sergeant. After six years with Columbia City PD, he applied for and won a spot in the Indiana State Police 88^th Lateral Academy. He resides in Whitley County with his wife and two children.

Bryce Kukelhan – Probationary Trooper Kukelhan comes to ISP from Adams County where he spent the last eight years as a K-9 handler for the Adams County Sheriff’s Department. He graduated from Hocking College in 2013, earning his associates degree in Natural Resources Law Enforcement. His law enforcement career began in 2014 working at the Adams County Jail before earning his way to Patrol Deputy in 2015. While working with Adams County Sheriff’s Department, he earned two life-saving awards and an Indiana State Police Commendation. Kukelhan has recently graduated from Indiana Tech with his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Summa Cum Laude. He currently resides in Adams County with his wife, Callie.

Eric Mitchel – Probationary Trooper Mitchel started his law enforcement career with Decatur Police Department. During his tenure with Decatur PD, he was a firearms instructor and STOPs instructor. He graduated from Adams Central High School and Anderson University. While at Anderson University he studied criminal justice and was a member of the track and field team from 2010-2013. Mitchel is also an Army Veteran serving as an engineer and salvage diver, holding the rank of Sergeant. He currently resides in Adams County with his family.

Chase Pfefferkorn – Probationary Trooper Pfefferkorn comes to the Fort Wayne Post from the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department. He graduated from Angola High School in 2017. After high school he served for six years in the Indiana Army National Guard as an infantryman. After starting as a Confinement Officer at the Steuben County Jail in 2020, he earned a merit deputy position in 2021and worked as a Patrol Deputy. While serving as a Patrol Deputy, Pfefferkorn worked as a field training officer and became certified in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement. He lives in Steuben County with his wife and son.