Governor Mike Braun visited Indiana State Police District 13 in Lowell Thursday to recognize the agency’s recent public safety efforts in Northwest Indiana.
During the visit, Braun met with Trooper Benjamin Beers, who was shot during a traffic stop in Hammond on May 26, and Sergeant Justin Heflin, who was shot following a pursuit in Michigan City on July 10. The governor thanked both troopers for their service.
Indiana State Police also highlighted several enforcement efforts from the first quarter of 2026. Troopers assigned to the Drug Enforcement Section’s Interdiction Unit conducted traffic stops along Interstate 65 and Interstate 80/94 that resulted in arrests and the seizure of illegal drugs, firearms and suspected drug proceeds.
According to State Police, troopers seized more than 270 pounds of marijuana and THC concentrates, including a 150-pound THC oil seizure in Chesterton. They also recovered 36 pounds of cocaine and opioids, including a shipment intercepted on Interstate 65 in Jasper County that investigators say was traveling from Los Angeles to Cincinnati.
State Police also reported the arrest of a murder suspect in La Porte County, the recovery of a stolen handgun frame connected to a 2024 Indianapolis homicide during a traffic stop in Lake County, and the seizure of more than $154,000 in suspected drug proceeds.
In addition, investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division said they solved all four interstate shooting cases they investigated between June 9th and July 14th, identifying and arresting suspects in each case.
