JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. – A portion of U.S. 31 will bear the name of fallen Indiana State Trooper Aaron Smith.
Smith, a lifelong Johnson County resident, died in the line of duty after being struck by a vehicle during a June 2023 police chase in Hendricks County.
He was deploying stop sticks on I-70 eastbound when it happened.
On Thursday, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution to rename U.S. 31 from Smith Valley Road to County Line Road in his honor.
According to the resolution, that stretch of 31 will be called the “State Trooper Aaron Smith Memorial Highway.”
Smith grew up in Johnson County. He served in the National Guard before joining Indiana State Police. His father, Garry Smith, discussed the honor in a text message shared with FOX59/CBS4’s Rafael Sanchez.
“It means that Aaron will never be forgotten. He served and he served well in his short term as an Indiana State Police,” his father wrote. “He was not only a great man, but he was also the hands and feet of Jesus. Selfless, humble.
“[He was a] loving man and a true leader with a servant’s heart. Aaron touched a lot of people’s lives and hearts. And we’re just overwhelmed with the responses that we still get to almost two years later. It is a reminder to live a life of service to others and to honor God above all else.”
The Indiana Department of Transportation hasn’t said when signs bearing Smith’s name will be added to U.S. 31.
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