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Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal Named 2025 Irish Citizen of the Year at Hoosier Lottery Kickoff
Summary
Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal was honored as Indianapolis’ 2025 Irish Citizen of the Year at a Hoosier Lottery St. Patrick’s Day kickoff event; speakers recounted his decades‑long law enforcement career and community ties.
Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal was named Indianapolis’ 2025 Irish Citizen of the Year and served as parade grand marshal during the Hoosier Lottery St. Patrick’s Day kickoff event in Indianapolis.
Robert v. Welch, president of the Indianapolis Athletic Club Foundation, introduced Forestal and noted his family’s Irish roots and long record of public service. Welch said Forestal’s maternal grandfather served as an Indianapolis police officer and his maternal grandmother was a township trustee, and that those family roles helped shape Forestal’s commitment to public service.
In remarks after his introduction, Forestal thanked the hosts and joked about the length of his own introduction: “That was a great introduction. Thank you, Kevin. I can use that for my obituary someday,” Forestal said. He thanked the Hoosier Lottery and the Athletic Club Foundation and encouraged attendees to celebrate safely over the holiday weekend.
Speakers recounted Forestal’s career in public safety. The introduction summarized his service as joining the Marion County Sheriff’s Department in 1977, serving in multiple roles, being appointed U.S. marshal for the Southern District of Indiana in February 2010, returning to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in 2015 to serve as lieutenant colonel and executive officer, and being elected Marion County Sheriff in November 2022. The event program and introductions also referenced Forestal’s involvement in local organizations including St. Simon the Apostle Parish, the Kevin Barry division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and long‑term support for the Indianapolis Athletic Club Foundation.
The kickoff event also included remarks from Hoosier Lottery representatives, who noted the lottery’s role as a festival sponsor and said the lottery has supported local retirement funds and other causes. During opening remarks a lottery representative said the Hoosier Lottery celebrated a multi‑decade anniversary and “during those 35 years we provided more than $7,000,000 to good causes throughout the state.”
Forestal’s naming as Irish Citizen of the Year was ceremonial and did not include a formal vote or policy action. Event organizers encouraged attendees to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day weekend and referenced the parade, tent party and related festivities scheduled for the coming days.
