LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. -- The La Porte County Sheriff's Office announced three La Porte County students were presented scholarships in honor of fallen Deputy Neil Thompson at the August La Porte County Sheriff’s Merit Board meeting.

Thompson was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 21, 1980, and is the only member of the sheriff’s office to have died in the line of duty.

Following his death, the scholarship was established in his honor for sons and daughters of sheriff’s office employees who continue their education beyond high school.

The three students are Savannah Swanson, Faith Spain, and Michael Walker.

Swanson, a 2025 graduate of South Central High School and the daughter of Angie and Sergeant Brett Swanson, will attend Purdue University where she plans to major in speech, language, and hearing sciences.

Spain, a 2025 graduate of La Porte High School and daughter of Laura Lanoue and stepdaughter of Sergeant Scott Lanoue, will attend Grace College and be a member of the cross country and track and field teams.

Walker, a 2025 graduate of Michigan City High School and son of Director of Treatment Services Tyra Robinson-Walker and retired Deputy Michael Walker, will attend attending Indiana University – South Bend where he plans to major in speech pathology and will be a member of the baseball team.