Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Aaron Smith was struck and killed by a stolen vehicle at about 8:30 pm while deploying spike strips to terminate a vehicle pursuit on Ronald Reagan Parkway, north of I-70, in Plainfield.
Other troopers initiated a pursuit when the vehicle fled as they attempted to stop it at about 8:40 pm. Trooper Smith was deploying spike strips when he was hit by the fleeing vehicle. The car crashed after hitting Trooper Smith.
The driver and vehicle passengers, including a juvenile, were taken to local hospitals. The driver was charged with murder, but the charge was dropped when he pleaded guilty to resisting law enforcement causing death, attempted aggravated battery, and attempted battery with a deadly weapon. One of the passengers was charged with auto theft and sentenced to two years. Another passenger was reported as a missing juvenile from Missouri and will not be charged.
Trooper Smith was a United States Army National Guard veteran and served with the Indiana State Police for five years, receiving two Lifesaving Awards.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, mother, father, three brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-42E68D85- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Trooper Smith gave the Indiana State Police 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Indiana. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Aaron N. Smith served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Trooper Aaron N. Smith is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Indiana State Police, 21 of 46 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Aaron N. Smith's cause is highlighted.
How Aaron N. Smith Compares
Offender Outcome
Pleaded guilty to lesser charges
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Aaron N. Smith is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Aaron N. Smith was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
45 officers from Indiana State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
