Roll of Honor
Incident
Master Trooper James Bailey was struck and killed by a fleeing vehicle on I-69, south of Auburn, while attempting to deploy spike strips at about 4:30 pm.
Trooper Bailey was performing traffic control duties as the result of several crashes on the interstate when he was notified of a vehicle pursuit involving the Fort Wayne Police Department. The pursuit entered on I-69 toward Trooper Bailey's location.
The fleeing vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and struck Trooper Bailey as he attempted to deploy spike strips near mile marker 326. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The driver who struck him was arrested and charged with murder, felony resisting law enforcement, felony operating with a controlled substance resulting in death, and misdemeanor resisting law enforcement.
Trooper Bailey had served with the Indiana State Police for 15-1/2 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-84902BA2- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Master Trooper Bailey gave the Indiana State Police 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Indiana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Master Trooper Bailey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Master Trooper James R. Bailey 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. James R. Bailey's cause is highlighted.
How James R. Bailey Compares
Offender Outcome
In custody
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James R. Bailey is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James R. Bailey 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.
