Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter recently promoted Trooper Stephen Wheeles to the rank of sergeant to serve as the public information officer for the Versailles Post.
Wheeles is a Jackson County native and 1997 graduate of Brownstown Central High School. After high school, Wheeles attended Covenant College near Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Oakland City University.
He graduated from the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy in 2000. He was assigned to the Versailles District, transferring to gaming enforcement in 2002.
Wheeles transferred to the Seymour District in 2005 and then returned to the Versailles Post in 2009 with the closure of the Seymour Post.
As a member of the Indiana State Police, Wheeles has served on the meth suppression team and tactical intervention platoon and was a field training officer. Wheeles also was a department K-9 handler from 2007 until 2015.
His new job responsibilities include issuing news releases on significant events, responding to media inquiries and conducting and facilitating informational programs for the public.
Wheeles and his wife, Angie, reside in Jackson County. They have three children, Andrew, Lexi and Ethan.