Officer's Widow Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Christina Cole

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The wife of a police officer that was killed on a bicycle ride to raise money for fallen comrades has now taken up her husband's cause.

Indiana State Police Sgt. Gary Dudley and former Lake County Police Chief Gary Martin were killed on August 22 when a support van spun into them after being hit by a box truck. Carolyn Dudley has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the truck operator, Towne Air Freight. The company is denying the allegations.

Before his death, Dudley had devoted much of his time to the Indiana chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, a non-profit support group for fallen officers families. Now, his widow, Carolyn, is hoping to take his place.

Dudley and Martin were amongst a group of ten bicyclists in the middle of a 1,100 mile ride to raise money for the charity. A tractor trailer rig struck the rear of the bicyclists' support and escort van on Indiana 63, propelling both of the vehicles into the bicyclists. If the court awards a settlement she plans to use some of the money to supplement COPS' endowment and to crate a college scholarship fund in her husbands name.