KOKOMO, Ind. (WTHR) - "It's beyond words," said State Police F/Sgt. Ron Galaviz. "At the end of the day, it's a family member, it's a state police family member. A community member that we're going to mourn for a long, long time."
People across the state are remembering the life of Trooper Peter Stephan. He died late Friday night in Tippecanoe County while responding to a call for backup.
Investigators say his car crashed into a utility pole on Old State Route 25 northeast of Lafayette.
Trooper Peter Stephan was "Bo" to those who knew him.
"Just a very nice young man," said Wade Reed, a friend of the Stephan family. "No flaws in his character. His parents did a very good job raising him.
The son of a Kokomo doctor, Stephan and his wife Jessica got married on New Year's Eve 2016 in the church where they served on the worship team together.
The couple's first child was just born 6 months ago, a girl named Harper.
"When Bo said he wanted to be a state trooper, I knew right away he was going to be one of the good ones," said Rick Glover, who worked with Stephen. "He did what was right. He wasn't pushed around by public opinion. If there were a hundred people doing the wrong thing, he'd be the one guy doing it right."
Jessica works in the records department of the Lafayette Police Department. Her father was also a policeman. Both her father and husband are gone.
Governor Holcomb released this statement following Stephan's death:
“Janet and I were heartbroken to learn about the death of Trooper Stephan. We ask that all Hoosiers join us in offering prayers and condolences to Trooper Stephan’s family, friends and colleagues in law enforcement.”
Stephan was 27 years old.