IC 36-2-13-5: The Sheriff has the following specific powers and duties:1. The Sheriff must arrest without process persons who commit an offense within his view, take them before a court of the county having jurisdiction, and detain them in custody until the cause of the arrest has been investigated.2. The Sheriff must suppress the breaches of peace, calling the power of the county to his aid if necessary.3. The Sheriff must pursue and jail all felons.4. The Sheriff must execute all process directed to him by legal authority.5. The Sheriff must serve all process directed to him from a court or the county executive.6. The Sheriff must attend and preserve order in all courts of the county.7. The Sheriff must take care of the county jail and the prisoners there.8. The Sheriff may take photographs, fingerprints, and other identification data of persons taken into custody for felonies or misdemeanors. Any person who refuses to be fingerprinted or photographed or who withholds information or who gives false information when taken into custody commits a Class C misdemeanor.
Campaign Phone (Include area code)
765-730-4806
Education (degree/year/where)
BS Criminal Justice & Criminology 1999 Ball State University
Occupation
Law Enforcement
Experience and qualifications
27-year veteran with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office, current appointed Chief Deputy under Sheriff Tony Skinner, Oversee the daily operations of the Sheriff's Office including Patrol, Investigations, Courts, Civil Process, Jail, and Specialized Divisions. Manage budget for operations of the Sheriff's Office. Former SWAT Team leader and Current Bomb Technician and Bomb Squad Commander
Community involvements
Union Chapel Church, Redtail Land Conservancy Volunteer, Board Member Delaware County Prevention Council
Incumbent?
No
Previously sought/Held offices
N/A
I’m seeking the office of Sheriff because I care deeply about this community and believe my experience has prepared me to lead. I’ve served Delaware County for over 27 years in patrol, narcotics, investigations, SWAT, and now as Chief Deputy. I’ve been part of the progress we’ve made, but there is more work to do, especially with drugs, mental health, and public safety. I’m a strong constitutional conservative who believes in upholding the law without overstepping authority and protecting the rights of our citizens. I’m committed to leading with integrity, supporting our deputies, and keeping Delaware County safe.
I hope to build on the progress we’ve made while continuing to move the Sheriff’s Office forward. My focus is on keeping our community safe through proactive policing, strong training, and the use of modern technology. I want to expand drug treatment and mental health programs to reduce repeat offenses and address the root causes of crime. I will continue supporting our deputies, improving recruitment and retention, and maintaining transparency with the public. Most importantly, I will uphold the Constitution, protect the rights of our citizens, and lead the office with integrity and accountability.
The biggest issues we face are drug abuse, mental health, and recruiting and retaining qualified deputies. The availability of illegal drugs continues to drive crime and addiction in our community. At the same time, too many individuals struggling with mental health are ending up in the jail or emergency room instead of getting proper care. We also have to remain competitive in pay and support to attract and keep good deputies. Addressing these issues takes a balanced approach of enforcement, treatment, and strong leadership focused on long-term solutions.
Addiction and mental health should be addressed with a balanced approach that includes accountability, treatment, and support. The jail can’t just be a holding place. It needs to be part of the solution. Under Sheriff Skinner and my leadership, we were one of five counties selected to pilot the IRACS program, and today many jails across Indiana have adopted it. It has proven to be effective in reducing recidivism here in Delaware County. We should continue expanding counseling, treatment, and reentry programs while ensuring deputies are trained to respond to mental health issues safely and effectively.
