Staff Reports
Versailles — Six new troopers recently reported to the Indiana State Police-Versailles District following their graduation from the 79th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.
Thirty-seven probationary troopers graduated from the 79th Indiana State Police Academy on December 19, 2019. Six are being assigned to the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post and will begin a three-month field training period while being trained by a field training officer. These troopers have already completed over 1,000 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques as well as hands-on and scenario-based training at the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. The curriculum included criminal law, traffic law, emergency vehicle operations, psychology, firearms, crash investigation, self-defense, first aid and other general law enforcement training.
The new troopers assigned to the Versailles District are:
Trooper Mitchell McDaniel, age 25, is a 2012 graduate of Fort Wayne Snider High School. After graduation, McDaniel attended Purdue University-Fort Wayne. He has been a member of the United States Air Force Guard since 2012. He currently lives in Jefferson County with his wife and daughter.
Trooper Michael Knox, age 26, is a 2012 graduate of Streator High School, Streator, Illinois. He attended Lincoln Technical College in Indianapolis, where he obtained a degree in Diesel Technology. Prior to being hired by ISP, Knox worked for Kenworth in Peru, Illinois and Invenergy in Grand Ridge, Illinois. He lives in Franklin County with his wife and daughter.
Trooper Taylor Ranshaw, age 25, is a 2013 graduate of Lawrenceburg High School. After high school, Ranshaw attended Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, where he graduated in 2018 with a degree in Criminal Justice. Prior to being hired by ISP, Ranshaw was a reserve police officer with the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department and Lawrenceburg Police Department. Ranshaw, who recently got engaged, lives in Dearborn County.
Trooper Austin Straub, age 23, is a 2015 graduate of Columbus Christian High School. Straub attended Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, where he graduated in 2019 with a degree in Criminal Justice. Prior to being hired by ISP, Straub worked for Bartholomew County Community Corrections. He currently lives in Brown County.
Trooper Vincent Scott, age 29, who was homeschooled, graduated from high school in 2009. He attended Vincennes University, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management along with Associate’s Degrees in Psychology and General Studies. Prior to being hired by ISP, Scott worked for the Indiana Department of Corrections. Scott and his wife currently live in Henry County.
Trooper Taylor Cosby, age 24, is a 2014 graduate of Madison Consolidated High School, Madison, Indiana. Cosby worked for Madison Tool and Die from 2014 to 2016 and the Madison Correctional Facility from 2016 to 2019 prior to being hired by ISP. Cosby and his wife currently live in Jefferson County, Indiana.
Upon completion of the ISP-Versailles District Field Training Program, all six probationary troopers will receive their police vehicles and begin solo patrol in the Versailles District.
