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In a freak accident that ended in a terrible tragedy, two veteran law enforcement officers were killed and one was seriously injured, while riding their bicycles raising money for the Indiana chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors. Lt. Gary Dudley of the Indiana State Police and Gary Martin who retired last April as chief of the Lake County Sheriff’s Dept, both died at the scene of the crash. They were hit by a truck which was providing support to the cyclists. The truck, which was marked with a large banner that read, “Caution Cyclists Ahead,” careened into the group of police cyclists after it was hit by a box truck near the Indiana-Illinois line.
“Gary Martin is retired from the Gary Police Department and served 25 years as an officer with that department achieving the rank of Assistant Chief,” noted Sgt. Joe Watts, the public information officer for the Indiana State Police. “He then served three years under Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez as the Chief of Police for the Sheriff’s Department before leaving earlier this year. Martin also taught Criminal Justice at Indiana University-Northwest for 27 years and was a full professor at the university.”He also served as past president of the Lake County Chiefs of Police Association and was formerly the president of the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Training Academy (NILEA). He is survived by his wife, Olga, and two children, a son, Greg and a daughter, Jennifer. His son Greg is a pilot with the Gary City Police Department. Gary Martin was an avid cyclist and had run in several marathons.
Lieutenant Dudley was appointed to the Indiana State Police on December 14, 1979. He began his career at the Lowell District before transferring to Indianapolis. Lieutenant Dudley was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in October 1991 and transferred to the Training Division. In 1999, he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant. In 2005, Gary Dudley was promoted to Lieutenant to serve as commander of the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. Lieutenant Dudley used his passion for cycling to support and promote an organization whose worked touched his soul. He knew first hand the pain of losing young troopers he had trained. He looked into the eyes of grieving families and believed he could help ease their pain by reminding fellow police officers and the public to never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Lieutenant Dudley was an organizer of the annual C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) ride, which was scheduled to travel the perimeter of the state before ending at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis on Monday, August 28. At the “Send Off” ceremony for the riders, Lieutenant Dudley spoke on behalf of the group. In his brief remarks he noted the pain experienced by the cyclists during the 13 day event could never compare to the pain experienced by families of fallen police officers every day. Lieutenant Gary Dudley is survived by his wife, Carolyn, his father, Orsel Dudley, and a brother, Danny Dudley.
Gary Dudley worked with the Training Division of the Indiana State Police. Gary Martin retired from his chief’s post last April.Lance Burris, a retired chief of detectives, is a master instructor with the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Burris said the tragedy sent shock waves through the Indiana law enforcement community.“They were both fine, outstanding police officers both in the police community and the civilian community in which they lived,” Burris said. “I knew both these men very well from both a working relationship and that of friendship.” Lt. Burris said Gary Dudley began the ride for Concerns of Police Survivors several years ago and rode every year with remarkable passion.“ His love for his fallen fellow police officers and their families was above all else,” Burris said. “Now, while exercising that love comes his death. Gary Martin’s been my friend for over 30 years since he was a police officer in Gary, Indiana. He constantly gave of himself to help others and in this cause he’s given his life.”
Retired Indianapolis Officer Spencer Moore was also injured in the crash. Ten bicyclists were heading south on Indiana 63 at about 12:30 p.m. when the crash happened. "The freight truck struck the support vehicle in the rear. That vehicle then struck the cyclists," Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Joe Watts said, adding that several police agencies were participating in the ride. Riders were raising money for Indiana Concerns of Police Officers, which provides support for families of officers killed in the line of duty and helps send them to Washington, D.C., for annual memorial services. About 30 bicyclists planned to ride portions of 1,100 miles over 13 days, while eight were planning cover the entire route. The ride began Aug. 16 and was to end Aug. 28 in Indianapolis at Crown Hill Cemetery's "Heroes of Public Safety." The remaining bicyclists indicated they intend to finish the ride, but Watts said the deaths have hit the police community hit hard. "It's very difficult to come here and investigate the deaths of our fellow police officers," Watts said.
“We ask our fellow officers around the country to keep these men in your prayers and to pray for their families and loved ones that they might be given the strength to survive this tragedy and move ahead with their lives” Lance Burris said. “We want them to know that the COPS organization will be there with open arms to help them through this terrible tragedy.” Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites        
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