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County officials question sheriff’s handling after internal probe into captain; state police case remains open
Summary
County staff reported the sheriff directed an internal investigation into a captain be closed with a written reprimand while the Indiana State Police pursue a criminal inquiry. Commissioners expressed concern about accountability and limits on the county’s authority. No formal personnel action beyond the reprimand was recorded at the meeting.
Shawn, a county staff member, told the Board of Commissioners on May 5 that he had spoken with the sheriff and been instructed to issue Captain Myers a written reprimand and to end the county's internal probe into allegations the captain was intoxicated in the courthouse building. "He basically said that he wanted Captain Myers to have a written reprimand for being intoxicated in the building and to end the investigation," Shawn said.
The Indiana State Police, Shawn said, remain active in a parallel criminal investigation. County officials pressed staff for details on process and timeline and raised concerns that the county's internal review appeared to have been stopped short of what some commissioners expected.
Commissioners described the situation as unusual because the captain is a merit deputy and disciplinary matters for merit deputies can involve different rules and outside boards. One commissioner noted the county has limited ability to compel cooperation from the sheriff's counsel and described the organizational and statutory constraints that can complicate internal reviews of sheriff's-office personnel.
Shawn said Human Resources had attempted multiple follow-ups with the sheriff's legal counsel and with the sheriff's office but had not received the cooperative access to investigative materials that HR would normally expect. He said the county had sent at least one letter and had made multiple follow-up requests.
The Board acknowledged frustration among county staff and rank-and-file employees who may perceive unequal treatment but did not take further formal personnel action during the meeting. Commissioners discussed taking legislative steps to address accountability and oversight gaps at the state level but did not draft or vote on any such measure at the session.
The Sheriff's Office has not been reported in the record at this meeting to have provided a public response. The Indiana State Police criminal case, Shawn said, is ongoing; the transcript offers no findings from that investigation. The board did not reverse the sheriff's directive or impose additional county discipline at the meeting.
The board heard related personnel items later in the agenda: it approved routine motions including the retirement of a K-9 to his handler and several maintenance and purchasing items. The county said the federal inmate housing program was suspended in its present form and reassurances were given that funds accumulated to date are sufficient to maintain 12 funded positions associated with the program through the remainder of 2026. The board adjourned with no additional votes on the internal investigation.
The county did not provide a detailed timeline for reopening or further county-level review; commissioners suggested contacting state legislators to pursue statutory changes if oversight gaps remain unresolved.
