On Monday September 19, 2022, Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter announced the promotion of Sergeant Robert C. Smith, III, Investigative Squad Leader for the Fort Wayne Post, to the rank of First Sergeant and reassigned as the District Investigative Commander for the Fort Wayne Post.
As the District Investigate Commander (DIC), First Sergeant Smith will be responsible for providing supervision and support to the District Investigative Squad Leader, as well as to plan, coordinate, and manage all district criminal investigations for the Fort Wayne Post.
First Sergeant Smith is a twenty-one year veteran of the Department. His role as an investigator began in 2005 when he transferred from a patrol assignment (LaGrange/Noble Counties) to the Meth Suppression Section and served as the Fort Wayne District Meth Coordinator. In 2009, he transferred to the Drug Enforcement Section and was assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Safe Streets Task Force in Fort Wayne.
In 2017, Smith was re-assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force in Fort Wayne where he served until 2019 when he was promoted to Sergeant and reassigned as the Investigative Squad Leader for the Fort Wayne Post.
During his career with the Indiana State Police, Smith has served as a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon and he has been the recipient of two awards for exemplary service. In 2011, he was awarded the FBI Meritorious Achievement award in Washington, D.C. and in 2012, he was awarded the Indiana State Police Life Saving Award.
First Sergeant Smith currently resides with his family in rural Allen County.