For nearly three decades, I have served the people of Wayne County through the Sheriff’s Office, first as a Reserve and Mounted Patrol Deputy, then in multiple divisions, and now as Chief Deputy.
I’ve worked alongside the men and women who uphold our public safety every day, and I believe our best future comes from building on the progress we’ve already made.
I am deeply grateful to the Sheriffs under whom I served, and to the residents of this county who have allowed me to serve.
My commitment has always been simple: show up, do the work, and serve this community with integrity.
Steady Service
In August 2022, Sheriff Randy Retter asked me to serve as Chief Deputy.
In that role, I oversee daily operations, personnel coordination, policy implementation, and administrative management. I work closely with division supervisors and community partners to improve efficiency and responsiveness.
This role has reinforced what I’ve learned throughout my career: the Sheriff’s responsibility is steady oversight — supporting the staff, managing resources carefully, and ensuring the department operates consistently and professionally.
Chief Deputy
My background combines education, business leadership, technology, and public safety service — all of which support the real responsibilities of the Sheriff.
- Chief Deputy for the Wayne County Sheriff's Office since 2022.
- Served with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office since 1995 — involved in nearly every aspect of the department as a reserve deputy.
- Earned a B.A. in Physics from Grinnell College
- Systems and network administrator at Earlham College
- Co-founded a technology consulting firm serving local and national clients
- Helped launch Wayne County’s first internet service provider
- Managed and restored profitability to multiple technology service companies
- Served as Public Safety Technolofy Coordinator for Wayne County, supporting the Sheriff's Office and 911 Center
- Completed two phases of FBI-LEEDA executive leadership training
- Currently enrolled in the Indiana Sheriff's Association "West Point Leadership" program.
I bring a strong mix of formal education, hands-on experience, leadership, and technical expertise. I’m not afraid to put in the hours it takes to serve this county with integrity and professionalism. I’ve built a career—and a reputation—by being someone who gets the job done and puts in the work, whether it’s in the field, behind a desk, or leading from the front.
Education & Experience
Join Me
Your support helps build a steady, community-centered future for the Sheriff's Office
In 2003, I helped implement a system to better track and report service hours for reserve deputies. From that point until my appointment as Chief Deputy in 2022, I volunteered nearly 10,000 hours of service.
During that time, I worked with the Sheriff to combine the Mounted Patrol and Reserve units into a unified, professional Volunteer Services Unit. What had once been largely ceremonial became a trained, deployable component of the department — with structured training standards, accountability systems, and clear operational protocols.
That experience shaped how I lead: fix what isn’t working, keep standards consistent, and support the people doing the work.
Raising Standards
From community events to parades and local gatherings, I try to make myself available and accessible. I believe the Sheriff should be present and willing to listen.
My career has been here in Wayne County, working alongside the people who serve this community every day. That continuity is important to me.
The Sheriff’s Office already has dedicated deputies doing the work. My responsibility is to support them, keep the department operating well, and make sure we continue serving Wayne County professionally and consistently.
Community Presence
You may have heard that I did not attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA). That’s true, and I believe in being transparent about it.
While I did not attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), I’ve always held the required certifications and exceeded the minimum training requirements. I’ve averaged over 100 hours per year of ILEA-approved training, and I’ve consistently met the 24-hour annual minimum required by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board. This training includes not only law enforcement topics, but also supervision and leadership development.
The Academy plays an important role in preparing officers for patrol duties. Patrol is a critical part of the Sheriff's Office, and we rely on well-trained deputies to serve the public safely and professionally. At the same time, patrol represents only a portion of what the Sheriff's Office does. By staffing, budget, and operational responsibility, patrol makes up roughly one-quarter of the agency. The Sheriff's role extends well beyond patrol duties.
The Sheriff is responsible for:
- Leading multiple divisions
- Managing a budget of over 10 million dollars
- Overseeing policy and administrative operations
- Coordinating with city, state, and federal partners
- Supporting jail operations, civil process, and court security
- Ensuring accountability and long-term planning
- Building relationships with community partners
Basic training at ILEA does not train someone to oversee an entire agency. Preparation for leadership comes from a combination of experience, continued education, and a demonstrated responsibility over time.