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LaPorte County Sheriff Merit Board honors scholarship winners, reviews summer activity and staffing
Summary
The LaPorte County Sheriff's Department Merit Board approved minutes, observed a moment of silence for retired deputy Fred Hess, announced three Neil Thompson scholarship winners, reviewed summer calls and traffic increases, noted a deputy resignation with hiring underway, and adjourned at 9:15 a.m.
The LaPorte County Sheriff's Department Merit Board met Aug. 13 and approved last month’s minutes, observed a moment of silence for retired deputy Fred Hess and announced three Neil Thompson scholarship winners.
Sheriff (identified in the meeting as "Sheriff") said the department experienced a busy summer, reporting that "total calls for service for the months increased 4% from 2,277 to 2,374" and that year-to-date calls rose about 5% compared with 2024, from 14,961 to 15,655. Crash reports increased from 89 to 95 (a 7% rise), traffic stops rose from 746 to 895 (up 20%), and ‘‘car-deer’’ crashes increased from 17 to 25, a 47% increase, the sheriff said.
The board also announced three recipients of the Neil Thompson scholarship: Faith Spain, Savannah Swanson and Michael Walker. The students spoke briefly about their plans; one said she will attend Indiana University South Bend to study speech-language pathology.
On staffing, the sheriff reported that Deputy Pablo Pesa resigned effective July 31 and that applications to fill the vacancy are due Sept. 2. After applications are received, the department will schedule physical-agility and written testing. Two deputies in field-training — named in the meeting as Adam Niels and Matt Buell — are expected to complete training and begin solo patrols in the coming weeks.
The sheriff highlighted recent community events and department activity: deputies worked 1,042 hours at the county fair, the department supported the Great Lakes Grand Prix without major issues, and a ‘‘Play for Jake’’ 5K drew 351 participants whose proceeds support an AED program to place automated external defibrillators in patrol cars. The sheriff confirmed ongoing costs such as replacement pads, batteries and maintenance will be funded from those proceeds.
Upcoming community and department items noted during the meeting include a youth field day on Aug. 16 at Kesseling School Football Complex, the Citizens Police Academy running Sept. 9–Oct. 14 (sign-up via the department’s Facebook page), and the next Merit Board meeting on Sept. 10 at 9 a.m. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.
