Thomas Lahay served thirty-one years with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division as an Indiana Conservation Officer prior to joining the staff at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in November of 2016.
As an Indiana Conservation Officer, Lt. Lahay was heavily involved as an underwater Search and Rescue Diver, a field training officer, a K-9 handler, and a Sonar Operator. Serving his entire career as a field officer, Lt. Lahay also served a role in their Investigations Section (covert and overt), as a certified Evidence Technician and Photographer, and as a Public Information Officer. During his years of service with the DNR, he received numerous awards, including District Officer of the Year, Division Officer of the Year, Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, and several commendations for heroism and lifesaving.
Lt. Lahay is a certified Master Instructor, Firearms Instructor (handgun, shotgun and patrol rifle), STOPS Instructor, Active Shooter Instructor, Instructor in De-escalation techniques, First Responder, and Use of Force instructor. At the present time, he is assigned to the In-Service section, and coordinates the Instructor Development program and other in-service training courses. He is also in charge of the Tier 3 training program and the Senior Instructor program.
Graduating as class president with the eighty-second (82nd) Basic Session of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Lt. Lahay received degrees from Vincennes University, after studying Law Enforcement and Conservation Law Enforcement. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security. Lt. Lahay became an adjunct instructor at Vincennes University in the Law Enforcement and Conservation Law Enforcement programs in 2005, where he taught Survey of Criminal Justice, Criminal Investigations, Police Operations and Wildlife Criminal Investigations.
Away from academy life, Lt. Lahay likes to hunt and fish, as well as spend time with his wife and daughter.