INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags to be flown at half-staff in the State of Indiana in honor and remembrance of Indiana State Trooper Aaron N. Smith who was killed in the line of duty.
Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, July 7, 2023. Gov. Holcomb is asking businesses and residents in Indiana to lower their flags to half-staff.
Indianapolis, IN – Family members, friends, community members, Indiana State Troopers as well as police officers and other first responders from across the state and country will gather to memorialize and celebrate the life of Trooper Aaron Smith, Friday July 7, 2023. Trooper Smith will receive police and military honors as he served both as an Indiana State Trooper and a Sergeant in the Indiana National Guard. Following the Funeral, a police procession will escort Trooper Smith to Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
Visitation: Thursday, July 6, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Emmanuel Church Greenwood Campus, 1640 West Stones Crossing Road Greenwood, IN 46143
Funeral: Friday, July 7, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Emmanuel Church Greenwood Campus, 1640 West Stones Crossing Road, Greenwood, IN 46143
Burial: Friday, July 7, 2023 following the procession Crown Hill Cemetery – Heroes of Public Safety Area 700 W. 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208
The public is encouraged to line the procession route to honor Trooper Smith’s sacrifice and support his family, friends and co-workers. The ceremonial tradition of passing under a Garrison Flag will occur near Whiteland High School on U.S. 31 just north of Whiteland Road. The public can park in the southwest parking lot of the high school and walk to a safe area along U.S. 31. The coach carrying the remains of Trooper Smith will pause under the flag at which time a radio call marking Trooper Smith off duty for the final time will occur. The estimated time for the procession to begin is 1:00 p.m. There are opportunities to view the procession near downtown Indianapolis as it passes through on West Street to New York Street, then north on Illinois. The public is asked to find a safe parking spot and do not block lanes of travel. Please do not stand in the roadway.
- Start at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood, 1640 West Stones Crossing Road, Greenwood, IN
- Exit church lot and turn west on to West Stones Crossing Road to S.R. 135.
- South on S.R. 135 to Whiteland Road.
- East on Whiteland Road to U.S 31
- North on U.S. 31 where we will go by Whiteland High School and pass under the Garrison Flag. We will continue north into Greenwood then make a small right on to S. Madison Ave.
- North on S Madison Ave to roundabout, first exit east, Smith Valley Rd. Continue east on Smith Valley Road where we will pass by the neighborhood where Trooper Smith grew up.
- East on Smith Valley Rd and as you make the curve to left it turns into north bound S Emerson Ave.
- Continue north on S Emerson Ave where we will pass by Greenwood Airport to the left, to Stop 11 Rd.
- West on to Stop 11 Road which turns into E Meridian School Rd at East St. Continue west to S.R. 135.
- North on S.R 135 to Hanna Ave
- West on Hanna Ave to Bluff Rd
- North on Bluff Road to where it turns into West St.
- Continue north on West St passing IFD Station 13 at West St and Ohio St. Continue north on West St to New York St.
- East on New York St to Illinois St.
- North on Illinois St to 34th
- West on 34th St to entrance to Crown Hill Cemetery.
*Note: The ramps from I-65 to Main Street and I-65 to County Line Road will be closed during the procession. The ramp from I-70 to West Street in Indianapolis will also be closed during the procession.
The following obituary was provided by Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center:
Indiana State Trooper Aaron N. Smith, 33, of Franklin, IN, passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Plainfield, IN, following a life of dedication and service to his family, friends, community, state, and country.
Aaron was born January 9, 1990, in Franklin, IN. He was a 2008 graduate of Whiteland Community High School where he wrestled and played football. Aaron held a private pilot’s license and studied aviation management, graduating from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN, in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
He was a graduate of the 78th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy and was a member of the Indiana State Police Alliance. Aaron served the community as an Indiana State Police Trooper for nearly five years and was part of the State Police Crash Reconstruction Team. He had recently been awarded two Lifesaving Awards for his heroism.
He also proudly served in the Indiana National Guard since 2011 where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. He currently served as a Utilities Equipment Repairer for the 38th Infantry Division, 38th Sustainment Brigade, 190th Transportation Battalion, 1638th Transportation Company. Aaron had earned the following military awards: Army Achievement Award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (2nd award), National Defense Service Medal, Non- Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon (2nd award), Army Service Ribbon.
He was a member of Emmanuel Church Greenwood Campus where he and his wife Megan served in the children’s ministry. He and Megan were also an active part of the CGX CrossFit community in Bargersville, IN. Aaron also enjoyed smoking a good brisket, flying drones, hunting, and spending time with family and friends.
Aaron married Megan L. (Bunting) Smith on July 30, 2016, in Morgantown, IN. She survives along with their fur babies, Paisley Grace and Oakley Rose. Also surviving are his mother Patricia Ann (Para) Denny of Bargersville, IN; his father Garry W. Smith (Cynthia Marlin Smith) of Franklin, IN; brothers Jeromey M. Para of Greenwood, IN, Frank Catanzarite (Amber) of White Pigeon, MI; and Chad M. King (Taylor Jarboe) of Shelbyville, IN; a sister Hope E. Smith of Franklin, IN; maternal grandparents Gene and Carolyn S. (Wilhite) Marlin of Greenwood, IN; father-in-law and mother-in-law Douglas and Lynn J. (Schjenken) Bunting of Redwood Falls, MN; sisters-in-law Ashley L. Bunting (Alec Brandrup) of Rochester, MN; and Nicole L. Bunting of Castleton, ND; and grandmother-in-law Delores Bunting of Redwood Falls, MN. Aaron is also survived by several loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Robert R. and Evelyn (Velich) Smith and maternal grandfather Sylvester Para and maternal grandmother Bonnie (Murphy) Blodgett, and maternal grandmother-in-law Fern Schjenken.
Pastor Cody Johnson will conduct a service on Friday, July 7, 2023, at 11AM at Emmanuel Church Greenwood Campus, 1640 West Stones Crossing Road, Greenwood, IN 46143. Services will be broadcasted live on all Indianapolis television media networks and live-streamed on their networks.
Friends may call Thursday, July 6, 2023, from 2PM until 8PM at Emmanuel Church Greenwood Campus.
Burial with honors will follow the service at Crown Hill Cemetery in the Heroes of Public Safety section.
Memorial contributions to support the family can be made at any Indiana Members Credit Union branch, mailed to the Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation office, or made by credit card (credit card link is via PayPal), or Venmo on the Foundation’s website. Checks should be made payable to Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation, Inc. (memo Trooper Aaron Smith). Please visit www.indianafallen.org
Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN, is handling arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.
MEMORIAL FUND
An account to benefit the family of Trooper Aaron N. Smith has been established at Indiana Members Credit Union (IMCU) under “Aaron Smith Memorial Fund”. Anyone can make a donation by stopping in the nearest IMCU branch or calling 800-556-9268. There is a branch in Franklin, Trooper Smith’s hometown.
Donations can also be made through the Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization here.
If you, your company or organization would like to help with the funeral and other final expenses, please contribute directly to the Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation at:
Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation, Inc.
1710 South 10th Street
Noblesville, IN 46060
(317) 431-0755
