CROTHERSVILLE
While recently scrolling through Facebook, Levi Caudill saw a post that said the Crothersville Police Department was looking to hire an officer.
Having been a jail officer since 2012 and working as a reserve police officer since 2013, the 30-year-old Brownstown native decided it was time to take the next step.
Caudill applied for the job, was interviewed by Chief Matt Browning and the Crothersville Town Council and passed the physical agility test.
After his interview with the council, he was offered the job and accepted. On Jan. 5, he was sworn in as Crothersville’s newest police officer.
“It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do, and I jumped on the opportunity, and I’m grateful they gave me the chance to be an officer,” Caudill said.
“When they offered me the position after my interview, it was a dream come true,” he said. “It’s something I’ve been chasing ever since I was a kid to be a police officer. Finally, it has come true, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
Caudill knew after he graduated from Brownstown Central High School in 2009 what career he wanted to pursue. He went on to earn an associate degree in criminal justice from Ivy Tech Community College in 2012.
“I just love the fact of helping people when they are needing it,” he said of what drew his interest in law enforcement. “I just wanted to work for a smaller community and develop a relationship with the citizens.”
After college, Caudill was hired as a jail officer at the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown. In that role, he took care of inmates, transported inmates and maintained security of the sheriff’s department.
He remained in that position until being promoted to court security in 2020.
He said it was his plan to start as a jail officer to receive training and experience and advance his way up.
“Working in that type of environment, you’ve got to be on your toes and be aware of your surroundings,” Caudill said. “The training and stuff that you receive throughout the years transpires into the law enforcement side of the spectrum.”
When he started as a reserve officer with the Medora Police Department in 2013, he went through the 40-hour prebasic training.
“I did a few ridealongs and knew that that’s what I wanted to do,” he said. “Then I started reserving and knew this was what I wanted to do full time.”
Caudill was a reserve in Medora until 2016. Then he was a reserve with Crothersville for a year and then began reserving with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. He also was a reserve officer with the Brownstown Police Department before recently being hired full time in Crothersville.
Following his interviews in Crothersville, Caudill said he felt it was the right fit.
“I love the atmosphere,” he said. “Everybody is very welcoming. I feel like I will work really well with Chief Browning and Officer (Jonathon) Tabor. That’s a place I plan to stay for my entire career.”
The swearing-in ceremony was special for Caudill as his wife, Catherine, held the Bible and their two children, Brinlee and Watson, were close by.
“My wife has always been my rock, and she has always pushed me to be the best that I can, and I’m forever grateful for that,” he said. “I want to be a good role model for not only my kids but other kids in the community and for them to see that. I just want it to be an inspiring thing for my kids.”
Within two years of his hire date, Caudill will have to attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield.
“Just the camaraderie of everybody there,” he said of what he is looking forward to with the training he will receive there. “We’re all a family and just pushing each other to get through it and just have a good time with it.”
Until he starts there, he will spend time getting to know Crothersville and its residents.
“I want to try to meet everybody in the community and just let them know that my door is always open and if they have an issue, that’s what I’m here for,” he said. “Any time they need me to give me a call or stop by, and I’ll be able to help with any needs that they have.”
Caudill file
Name: Levi Caudill
Age: 30
Hometown: Brownstown
Residence: Brownstown
Education: Brownstown Central High School (2009); Ivy Tech Community College (associate degree in criminal justice, 2012)
Occupation: Recently hired as a Crothersville Police Department officer
Family: Wife, Catherine Caudill; daughter, Brinlee Caudill; son, Watson Caudill