Indiana Law Enforcement Scholarship: Six Years of Support
The Samaria Blackwell Memorial Scholarship has awarded funds to 13 students across the state since 2021.
By Mariam Saleh ·
Thirteen Indiana students have received funding for law enforcement careers under the Samaria Blackwell Memorial Scholarship.
The award is now in its sixth year. Jeff Blackwell, the scholarship's namesake's father, stated that the fund typically supports two applicants annually. This pace accounts for the total of 12 to 13 recipients to date. Blackwell and his wife, Tammy, review every application personally. They select the winners based on the passion shown in the written submissions. The family also expresses a preference for applicants who have relatives currently working in law enforcement.
Samaria Blackwell was the youngest of four children. She was killed in April 2021 during a mass shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. She was one of eight people who died in that incident. Blackwell described his daughter as athletic and energetic. He noted that she dreamed of a career in public safety. The Central Indiana Police Foundation contacted the family shortly after the shooting. They proposed creating a memorial scholarship to honor her memory.
The scholarship is open to students throughout Indiana. Recipients can be pursuing various roles within the justice system. Blackwell clarified that the award applies to more than just police officers. It also covers students training to become crime lab technicians or lawyers. Past recipients have included high school seniors and college freshmen.
Blackwell explained that the selection process focuses on a specific quality in the applicants. He looks for a genuine desire to serve others. He stated that if a student demonstrates this drive, the family wants to assist them. The scholarship serves as a way for the Blackwell family to respond to their loss. Blackwell described the process of helping others as therapeutic for his family.
The scholarship has expanded its reach through media partnerships. The Hammer and Nigel Show promotes the award on its Facebook and X accounts. The hosts encourage listeners to share the application link with young people considering the field. The fund continues to operate as a direct response to the 2021 Indianapolis shooting. It remains a specific mechanism for the Blackwell family to support the next generation of law enforcement professionals in Indiana.
