Indianapolis, IN – The life and service of Trooper Aaron Smith will be remembered and celebrated by family members, friends, community members, Indiana State Troopers, as well as police officers and other first responders from across the state and country, according to the Indiana State Police. The memorial service will take place on Friday, July 7, 2023.
Trooper Smith, who served as both an Indiana State Trooper and a Sergeant in the Indiana National Guard, will receive police and military honors during the service. The ceremony will be held at Emmanuel Church Greenwood Campus, located at 1640 West Stones Crossing Road in Greenwood, IN.
Following the funeral, a police procession will accompany Trooper Smith to his final resting place at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. The specific route for the procession will be announced at a later date, and community members are encouraged to line the route to pay their respects to Trooper Smith and acknowledge his service and sacrifice.
Prior to the funeral, visitation will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Church Greenwood Campus.
Trooper Smith, 33, of Franklin, IN, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Plainfield, IN. He dedicated his life to serving his family, friends, community, state, and country. Born on January 9, 1990, in Franklin, IN, Trooper Smith graduated from Whiteland Community High School in 2008, where he excelled in wrestling and football.
He further pursued his passion for aviation by obtaining a private pilot’s license and studying aviation management. In 2014, he graduated from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN, with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Trooper Smith joined the Indiana State Police and completed the 78th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. Throughout his nearly five-year tenure, he served the community as an Indiana State Trooper and was a member of the Indiana State Police Alliance. Trooper Smith was also part of the State Police Crash Reconstruction Team and had recently received two Lifesaving Awards for his heroic actions.
In addition to his law enforcement career, Trooper Smith proudly served in the Indiana National Guard since 2011, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He served as a Utilities Equipment Repairer for the 38th Infantry Division, 38th Sustainment Brigade, 190th Transportation Battalion, 1638th Transportation Company. Trooper Smith was the recipient of various military awards, including the Army Achievement Award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon, and Army Service Ribbon.
Trooper Smith was an active member of Emmanuel Church Greenwood Campus, where he and his wife Megan dedicated their time to the children’s ministry. They were also part of the CGX CrossFit community in Bargersville, IN. Outside of his professional and community commitments, Trooper Smith enjoyed smoking brisket, flying drones, hunting, and spending quality time with his loved ones.
He married Megan L. (Bunting) Smith on July 30, 2016, in Morgantown, IN. Megan, along with their fur babies Paisley Grace and Oakley Rose, survives him. Trooper Smith is also survived by his mother Patricia Ann (Para) Denny of Bargersville, IN, his father Garry W. Smith (Cynthia Marlin Smith) of Franklin, IN, and his siblings Jeromey M. Para of Greenwood, IN, Frank Catanzarite (Amber) of White Pigeon, MI, Chad M. King (Taylor Jarboe) of Shelbyville, IN, and Hope E. Smith of Franklin, IN. Additionally, he is survived by his maternal grandparents Gene and Carolyn S. (Wilhite) Marlin of Greenwood, IN, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Douglas and Lynn J. (Schjenken) Bunting of Redwood Falls, MN, his sisters-in-law Ashley L. Bunting (Alec Brandrup) of Rochester, MN, and Nicole L. Bunting of Castleton, ND, and his grandmother-in-law Delores Bunting of Redwood Falls, MN. Trooper Smith is also survived by several loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The memorial service for Trooper Smith will be conducted by Pastor Cody Johnson at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Emmanuel Church Greenwood Campus. The service will be broadcasted live on all Indianapolis television media networks and will also be available for live-streaming on their networks.
Friends and well-wishers are invited to attend the visitation on Thursday, July 6, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Church Greenwood Campus.
Following the service, Trooper Smith will be laid to rest with honors at Crown Hill Cemetery in the Heroes of Public Safety section.
To support the family, memorial contributions can be made at any Indiana Members Credit Union branch, mailed to the Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation office, or made online through the Foundation’s website. Checks should be payable to Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation, Inc. (memo Trooper Aaron Smith). Further details can be found at www.indianafallen.org.
Arrangements for the memorial service are being handled by Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, located at 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN. For more information, please contact 317-738-0202.
Condolences for the family can be shared online at www.swartzmortuary.com.
