Last Updated on February 4, 2019 by cassnetwork
Recently, two former Indiana State Police Peru Post commanders, First Sergeant Mike Nichols and Major Pat O’Connor, were recognized by Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter for a combined 70 years of service to the Indiana State Police Department.
Major Patrick O’Connor was presented a certificate recognizing his 40 years of service to the Indiana State Police Department. Major O’Connor is a Cass County native and a graduate of Logansport High School. He is also a graduate of Northwestern University’s Traffic Institute of Police Staff and Command. Major O’Connor completed the Indiana State Police Academy in November of 1978 and was assigned to the Indiana State Police Peru Post, where he worked road patrol in Cass County. During his career, he served the Indiana State Police Peru District as a detective, corporal, sergeant, and lieutenant. He is currently the commander of the Indiana State Police Special Operations Section. The section oversees the Indiana State Police specialty teams such as SWAT, explosiveness ordnance disposal, and the motorcycle units. They are also responsible for planning for special events in which the Indiana State Police participates.
Prior to his current assignment, O’Connor was the commander for the Indiana State Police’s south zone, which consists of the Indiana State Police districts located in Putnamville, Indianapolis, Pendleton, Versailles, Bloomington, Jasper, Evansville, and Sellersburg.
First Sergeant Mike Nichols was presented a certificate recognizing his 30 years of service to the Indiana State Police Department. In November of 1988, First Sergeant Nichols began his career at the Indiana State Police Peru District, where he worked as a trooper patrolling primarily in Howard County. Nichols was promoted to sergeant in 1994. He has worked as a sergeant in both the Training and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Divisions. In 2005, Nichols was installed as the Indiana State Police Peru Post commander. Nichols held that positon for approximately five years before transferring to serve as the commander for the Indiana State Police Redkey Post. In November of 2010, the Indiana State Police Redkey Post closed, due to consolidation. Nicholas currently serves a supervisor in the Indiana State Police Special Operations Section. The section oversees the Indiana State Police specialty teams such as SWAT, explosiveness ordnance disposal, and the motorcycle units. They are also responsible for planning for special events in which the Indiana State Police participates.
Nichols is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy and has also served as a member of the Indiana State Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team.
He holds a bachelor’s degree, in criminology, from Indiana State University. Nichols currently resides, with his family, in Blackford County.
SOURCE: News release from Indiana State Police