Occupation/Current Position
Police Officer
Education
Rockville University, B.S. in Business Administration
Campaign Phone
574-339-1875
Campaign Email
rodforsheriff26@gmail.com
St. Joseph County's greatest challenge is the widening disconnect between public safety and resources- with both calls for service and trust on the rise. I will prioritize patrol strength, training, and ethical data analysis to efficiently allocate resources to areas of greatest need. Public safety should be proactive, and every resident and corner of our county should feel safe and seen. Safety isn’t quantifiable, it’s qualitative.
It's the Sheriff's job to enforce the law. It's not the Sheriff's job to make the law. If I am required to by federal agencies such as ICE I will cooperate with them, when it comes to egregious criminal violations. But make no mistake: everyone who comes in contact with our officers will be treated with dignity and in accordance with our Constitution. We also have to keep the trust of immigrant communities to keep our communities safe. People will not report crimes if they're afraid. We can still enforce the law while leading with compassion and integrity. There's a way to perform our tasks without making anyone feel less than human.
Enforcement = LAW. We enforce the laws that are created by state legislators. As law enforcement, our responsibility is to enforce those laws equally. In my opinion, our current gun laws have their strengths and weaknesses. They allow us to protect our rights and liberties, but can hinder law enforcement from doing their job. As your Sheriff, I will ensure deputies are properly trained to deal with firearms and that we are enforcing these laws responsibly. The more structured, clear and consistently enforced our laws are while building better relations with our community, the safer we all will be. Rights... Yes. Responsibility? You bet.
Drug addiction is a public safety issue and a human issue. We must tackle it with accountability and compassion. I will work with treatment providers, courts, and community organizations to connect non-violent offenders with resources to recover from addiction, while continuing to hold traffickers accountable. Enforcement only goes so far. If we want to make St. Joseph County safer, we need to tackle demand as well as supply. We don’t solve addiction by turning a blind eye to it...we solve it by facing it head on.
Trust begins with honesty and reliability. I will keep communities informed through regular community meetings, public notices and outreach to every corner of the county- rural or urban. Residents have a right to know what is going on in their neighborhoods. When people are informed and treated with respect, they will trust us. We must build trust person to person, not press release to press release.
Building and keeping a highly qualified roster of officers begins with leadership, training and a professional culture. I will provide investment in ongoing advanced training, career development and support officers need to succeed and remain. Departments should look like the communities they serve, which is why I advocate for outreach to qualified candidates of all backgrounds to encourage them to serve. Diversity built on merit and a common commitment to keeping our community safe improves trust and effectiveness. The best departments are trusted departments.
The County jail must operate safely and securely with an emphasis on accountability and rehabilitation. I will ensure it is adequately staffed, that we provide better training, and where applicable that inmates have access to mental health and addiction services. The reduction of recidivism begins behind these walls with proper reentry readiness. A jail that runs right protects the community and those who work there. Focusing on the jail's internal operations is key to creating a safer environment outside.
Occupation/Current Position
Police Chief-South Bend Police
Education
US Navy Veteran and FBI National Academy/UVA graduate as well as the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
Campaign Phone
574-532-5230
Campaign Email
rusz4sjc@gmail.com
Although successful in bringing gun violence down significantly over the past several years, there are still too many families and friends losing loved ones in our community due to these senseless violent acts. We should all be and feel safe in every home, neighborhood, store, school and place of worship.
As sheriff, I intend to further strengthen the collaboration with all area agencies and incorporate even more non-law enforcement community resources into our anti-violence strategies; violence and criminal acts are being committed by less than 1% of our county population. One tragedy anywhere in our community is one too many and impacts us all. The intentional violence is preventable, but it takes more than just the police to stop it.
Immigration is a federal matter handled by federal authorities, not something a/or any Sheriff arbitrarily decides. I’ve sworn my Oath; in the US Navy and as a South Bend Police Officer-spanning country and community for over four decades.
With the Constitution being the highest law of the land for all, I will continue to support and defend the rights of every person in St. Joseph County. I also adhere to all laws that are Constitutional, whether I agree with the policy behind them or not. Legislators at all levels are responsible for writing and voting our laws. My responsibility and duty are to enforce them, based on facts and evidence, without judging a person’s worth. My job is to facilitate, manage, and maintain public safety in an impartial, fair, and objective manner, and I’ll continue my legitimacy with all agencies and people.
Help me make this make sense: You must be 21 years old to buy a handgun… but only 18 to carry one. Three years separate those proverbial “milestones,” but what are we, as a community, doing to prepare young people for this outstanding and potentially life-altering responsibility? There are currently no effective checks and balances in place to ensure those who cannot carry firearms…do not.
Instead of debating our right to bear arms, which is already established in the Constitution, we need to focus on legal, responsible, and safety-trained gun ownership and carry. As police officers, rarely do we encounter issues with those who truly believe in and adhere to responsible ownership. Unfortunately, we find ourselves being forced to address the ripple effect of those who do not share, believe, or operate in or with those same ideals.
Sheriff Redman and I have teamed up for the past several years regarding use, misuse, and trafficking of illegal narcotics and substances. I also helped write, for the second time, the federal application for our now approved and designated High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA). The HIDTA brings additional resources, funding, and continuity into St. Joseph County, joining surrounding counties with the goal of deterrence, detection, and apprehension of those involved in all forms of trafficking. The HIDTA will also elicit more opportunities for education, prevention, treatment, and intervention…with the preferred outcome of fewer people in jail or prison for use/misuse of illegal and dangerous narcotics.
As I’ve done as Police Chief since 2015 and for 30 years as a supervisor: meeting people where they are. Communication is not a one-size-fits all approach – this means I/we must utilize and be open to implementing multiple lines of communication and visibility to reach our residents. What does this look like? It’s a combination of social media, media, Transparency Hub and/or app, neighborhood meetings, and a robust Citizens Academy, just to name some methods. Above all, I strive to instill the spirit of transparency and community relationships, which equals trust in our personnel-who are the true ambassadors-out and about every day with the foundation of, ‘the most important call we’ll ever be on… is the one we’re on ©.’
“Highly skilled officers” are developed by rigid and responsible training. However, a department cannot train morals, compassion, or common sense – those traits should exist when applying, as they are the base for a well-rounded and trustworthy public servant. Also, as a police instructor for over 13 years, I can say with certainty those who lack solid moral foundations are the ones who do a disservice to our profession. We can teach tactics and criminal code, but no amount of police training can teach someone to be a good person. As proven at the SBPD, if we recognize, respect, and reward great work, retention and recruiting become easier. Regarding diversity – employing members who mirror our community has always been the goal. When we shift from the norm (like at SBPD) we make the hiring process more accessible and convenient to all.
Corrections or Correctional Officers (CO’s) recruitment and retention is and has been the most pressing issue for [at least] the past several years. The decline of CO’s is not just a local issue; it is a national one. This is where we absolutely need to implore and invoke our community’s help, while recognizing, respecting, and rewarding the often-thankless work our CO’s do, around the clock 24/7/365.
As well, competitive compensation is essential, as is emphasizing the provided medical and dental insurance, retirement pension, and the essential and urgent need for CO’s…all while underscoring the assured stability of an honorable corrections career, and/or [if desired] on an accelerated path to becoming a certified patrol officer.
Occupation/Current Position
First shift Lieutenant
Education
ILEA, ARIDE, SFST, Instructor Development, EVOC Instructor
Campaign Phone
574-329-0853
Campaign Email
wigfallforsheriff@gmail.com
Drug addiction and drug trafficking. The county was recently designated a high-intensity drug trafficking area (HIDTA) by the federal government.
Addressing the drug problem is crucial for public safety, not merely a reactive measure. Drug trafficking is linked to weapon offenses and assault. Drug use and addiction can also lead to additional crimes such as theft, burglary, and repeat offenses, which are often driven by addiction. Many of our mental health calls also involve substance use.
To effectively combat these issues, I propose expanding partnerships with HIDTA. Currently, we have officers assigned to the following agencies who could provide valuable aid, including the DEA, ATF, and FBI. Additionally, I would strengthen collaboration with the prosecutor’s office.
The Sheriff’s Office is obligated to collaborate with federal partners in accordance with the recently enacted Indiana law when addressing severe criminal activities. However, it is equally imperative to keep the trust of our community.
Transparency regarding our actions and decisions is paramount, enabling officers to focus on safeguarding the public rather than being preoccupied with immigration status. If individuals are reluctant to engage with us and contact us, it adversely affects the entire community.
Permit-less carry is the law in Indiana and I respect our constitutional rights of law abiding citizens. After 25 years in law enforcement, I know the issue isn’t the firearm, it’s the judgement of the person carrying it.
Removing permits removes a checkpoint that encouraged responsibility, placing more responsibility on law enforcement.
My approach is clear: protect our constitution, hold criminals accountable, and invest in training and enforcement . I’m focused on real outcomes, because I’ve seen what happens when things go right and when they don’t.
We need a dual approach, enforcement and intervention.
During my time as Training Commander I focused on combating drug trafficking. I enrolled 4 officers in one of the most prestigious drug recognition courses in the country. I also enrolled some of our current officers in multiple trainings that deal with identifying trap compartments, false doors, and other means of transporting drugs. I will continue to make this a focal point
Drug addiction is a serious problem, that requires rehabilitation not always incarceration. I believe the answer includes partnering with agencies such as The Partnership for a Drug Free Saint Joseph County, Life Treatment Center, “Oaklawn and Upper room. We can help people get the treatment they need and get their lives back on track.
The sheriff's department currently has several ways to communicate with the public. There’s an app, our website, Facebook, Twitter and online reporting. Each department also has a contact number that connects you to actual people. This list can be found at SJCPD.org.
I plan to also hold “Coffee With the Sheriff” meetings once a month so I can hear directly from residents. Strengthen the citizens Police academy by having it twice a year. By doing these things we will increase community trust.
I will continue to make this department a place where people want to come and stay by ensuring program career progression from inside the department.
We have a current program working with South Bend Community Schools. We now hire 18 year old students who are currently in a law enforcement curriculum at the school. The curriculum works with our Citizens Policemen Academy platform. The students are hired once they graduate high school. The students start out working in the jail, and if they want to become police officers they have three years of training in the jail by the time they turn 21. This process helps them to become a more well rounded and better trained officer. We will also recruit from colleges, trade schools, and reserve units. By doing this, we will ensure diversity because we are pulling from our community.
In 2001 I started my career in the jail and during the staffing shortages in 2019-2024 I worked countless hours alongside our deputies in the jail; I am aware of the unique challenges that our department face. To address these challenges, I will prioritize the expansion of staffing. This will be achieved by streamlining the hiring process.
Additionally, I will continue to actively recruit from high schools with law-enforcement programs, colleges, and the veteran’s administration. Furthermore, we will enhance the training programs for jail officers. We will also strengthen safety protocols for both staff and inmates. My focus will be on rehab rehabilitation and reducing repeat offenders. I will collaborate with community agencies to support these initiatives. The state of our jail, reflects the values and commitment of our department.
