Doug Carter, the superintendent of the Indiana State Police, is set to retire after leading the state’s largest law enforcement agency for over a decade. With a career spanning four decades, Carter’s tenure has been marked by a blend of both triumph and tragedy.
Carter began his law enforcement journey in 1984 and rose through the ranks to become Indiana’s top cop in 2013. Under his leadership, the state police navigated through numerous high-profile cases, including the unsolved arson deaths of four young Black girls in Flora in 2016 and the 2017 Delphi murders of two teenage girls, Abby Williams and Libby German.
The latter case gained national attention and, just recently, saw the conviction of the killer, bringing some closure to the community and the families of the victims. Although Carter was not directly involved in the Delphi case, he was often the public face of the investigation.
Carter also led the department during challenging times, including the loss of five law enforcement officers in the first six months of 2023. He had to honor the sacrifices of officers like troopers James Bailey and Aaron Smith, who died in the line of duty, by presenting American flags to their grieving families—a painful reminder of the dangers inherent in law enforcement.
One of Carter’s most significant concerns as he prepares to retire is the decline in recruitment. Despite his decades of service, he expressed regret over the broken recruitment system that has resulted in fewer troopers today than when he began his career in 1984.
Carter’s leadership was also marked by efforts to address policing reforms, particularly after the death of George Floyd in 2020. Recognizing the damage done to the profession, he emphasized the need for conversations around race and policing and acknowledged that law enforcement must work hard to rebuild public trust.
Looking ahead to his retirement, Carter envisions a quieter life, possibly carving wood at home. However, before he steps down, he shared a final piece of advice for his successor: Always care about others, not yourself.
This message reflects Carter’s deep commitment to public service and his unwavering dedication to the people he served throughout his career.