The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page B1

IN THEIR WORDS On being Mormon Paul H. Sinclair explains Mormon beliefs, including how they might come into play in a presidential election. B3 METRO STATE SECTION THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR SATURDAY, JULY 7, 2007 INDYSTAR.COMNEWS STATE POLICE ACADEMY GRADUATION DAY 1 thought I was hearing it wrong' Stunned neighbors say family of Michigan man who killed trooper, self was close-knit 1 jjllj CHARLIE NYE The Star ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GRADUATE: Indiana State Trooper Brian Snyder (center), senior counselor at the recruit academy, gave last-minute instructions Friday to the 121 academy graduates just before ceremonies at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center got under way. THE LONG BLUE LINE Joseph Vultaggio Jr. With a fellow officer's death fresh in their minds, a record 121 graduates become state troopers By RoNeisha Mullen roneisha.mullen(3indystar.com Neighbors of the Michigan man suspected of shooting an Indiana State Police trooper before turning a shotgun on himself said Friday he was known as a respectful young man from a tight-knit family.

"They were a close family," said Harriet Conat, who has lived on the same block in Gay-lord, as 21-year-old Joseph Vultaggio Jr. and his family for more than 15 years. "They take trips together in their camper as a family, and for something like this to happen is just a real tragedy," she added. Authorities said Vultaggio shot Master Trooper David Rich, who thought Vultaggio was a stranded motorist. The shooting occurred about 4 p.m.

Thursday on U.S. 24 in Northern Indiana. After fatally wounding Rich, police said, Vultaggio reloaded the shotgun and killed himself. Police said Vultaggio was in an SUV reported stolen by his father Wednesday. Joseph M.

Vultaggio Sr. said he was too upset to say much about the situation. "I don't have any comments right now," he said. "I'm sorry for the other family that they've had to go through this." Other neighbors of the family said the tragedy comes as a shock to the neighborhood. "I called my neighbor first thing this morning to make sure they had the name right, because I thought I was hearing it wrong.

I couldn't believe it," said Donna Wilbur, who has lived just two houses away from See Stunned, Page B5 By Vic Ryckaert vic.ryckaert (3indystar.com ZIONSVILLE, Ind. The new Indiana State Police troopers stood ramrod straight in their campaign hats and blue uniforms. They didn't flinch as cameras flashed and tears welled in the eyes of their loved ones in the audience. The 23-week academy, which ended Friday with a graduation ceremony, produced the largest recruit class in the department's history. It also was one of the most difficult and most rewarding experiences in Trooper Edward Kaucher's life, he said.

Kaucher, 28, Indianapolis, said the academy training prepared him and his classmates to face danger. They all understand that they likely will be called upon to run toward bullets, he said. "We realize this is part of the job," Kaucher said. "We go places where normal people do not go." The graduation ceremony came the day after an 18-year Indiana State Police veteran was fatally See Blue line, Page B5 State Trooper David Rich TROOPER'S FUNERAL SERVICES PENDING Arrangements are pending for Indiana State Police Master Trooper David Rich, who was killed Thursday. Gov.

Mitch Daniels on Friday ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in parts of Indianapolis and Wabash County on the day of funeral services. SOLEMN: Trooper Kyle Herron, 23, Fort Wayne, donned a mourning badge in honor of Master Trooper David Rich, who died Thursday. PROUD WIFE-TO-BE: Erica Horn, 20, fiancee of Indiana State Police Trooper Dustin Bell, 22, Anderson, affixed a badge he was presented Friday. CHECKLIST FOR JOINING INDIANA'S FINEST Candidates for Indiana State Police recruit school must: 1. Be a U.S.

citizen. 2. Be between the ages of 21 and 40 when appointed as a police employee. 3. Have vision correctable to 2050.

4. Must possess a valid driver's license to operate an automobile. 5. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED. The Indiana State Police offer two academy options: the Traditional Academy for individuals with no prior law enforcement experience and a Lateral Academy for certified police officers wishing to transition into a career with the State Police.

Source: www.in.govispcarGGr ONLINE EXTRA INDYSTAR.COM Online with this story: Read Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman's speech at the graduation, find a list of graduates and their assignments and view a photo gallery. 7-year-old girl recuperating after dog attack; animal will be destroyed THE DANGEROUS DOG LAW The proposal was introduced July 19, 2006, to the City-County Council. The ordinance passed 26-0 on Nov.

13 and went into effect Jan. 1. Key provisions enough to see the bone, according to a report by the Department of Public Safety's Animal Care and Control officers. She also had a bruise above her right eye and blood coming from an earlobe. "They've got it pretty well fixed," Jones said of his daughter, who watched cartoons on TV as he talked.

"There is going to be some big scars we'll have to deal with. They said there shouldn't be any problems with movement or mobil- See Dog attack, Page B5 dragging a 20-foot chain from its collar and attacked Cassidy, said her father, Rob Jones. Jones, 38, was on his way home when the attack occurred between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Jones home in the 1300 block of South Whitcomb Avenue. When Jones arrived, emergency medical technicians were working on his daughter, who was taken to Methodist Hospital.

The dog had ripped off 5 to 6 inches of skin from Cassidy's left arm, and the wound was deep Child was in her yard when she was bitten on the arm by a chow mix By Rob Schneider rob.schneider(3indystar.com A 7-year-old Westside girl was recovering at home Friday after a chow mix bit her arm while she played in her yard. Cassidy Jones was with her two brothers, Casey, 11, and Corey, 9, when the dog came into the yard Increased fines relating to dangerous animals to up to $1,000. Included potentially dangerous dogs as a violation of the ordinance to help prevent dog bites. Limited the ownership of dangerous animals to two. Defined a dangerous animal as one that would constitute a danger to human life or property; cause serious injury to a person without having been provoked by the person; chase or approach a person in a menacing fashion, or attack another domestic animal; or, because of its training or behavior, be capable of inflicting physical harm or death on humans.

NOW YOU CAN SEE HISTORIC HARPS ANYTIME CARNIVAL PROMISES FUN FOR ANIMALS AND THEIR OWNERS JUST Indianapolis Veterinary Emergency Center, 5425 Victory Drive, just south and east of the 1-465 and South Emerson Avenue interchange near Beech Grove. If you really want to pamper your pet, you may want to consider today's ninth annual Original Pet Carnival. You can get readings from pet psychics, pet IU in the 1960s. They had been stored at IU's Musical Arts Center and put on display every three years in conjunction with the triennial USA International Harp Festival. But now they are on permanent display at the Cook Music Library in IU's Simon Music Library and Recital Center.

Associated Press BLOOMINGTON, Ind. Six historic harps, including one purportedly plucked by Marie Antoinette, are on permanent display at Indiana University's school of music. The 18th- and 19th-century instruments were donated to IU's Jacobs School of Music from the collection of Margaret Dilling upon her death in 1982. She taught at People are asked to bring an item to donate to Indianapolis Animal Care and Control, the Humane Society of Johnson County or Cats Haven. Star report messages and, for more competitive pet owners, there are contests for best-dressed pet and best pet trick.

It all takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MINUTE Kine Mattress Set tTJJ for Queen Set' STARTING AT $599.99.