Jackson County voters will go to the polls Tuesday for the primary election, and the only contested race at the county level is for sheriff.
County Republicans have a choice between Rick Meyer, the current sheriff, and Shawn Minton, a Jennings County Sheriff’s Department officer. Both are native to Seymour.
There is no Democratic candidate that filed to run for sheriff in the primary election.
Both men answered five questions from The Tribune via email to let voters know more about themselves, the experience they would bring to the sheriff’s department and what their priorities would be if elected.
Tell us about yourself.
Meyer: I’m 52 years old and a lifelong resident of Jackson County. I graduated from Seymour High School in 1988, graduated with a business degree from Western International University and am a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. I’ve been married to my wife, Jennifer, for 21 years, and we have three wonderful children. I’m a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. I’ve coached basketball, baseball and softball from youth leagues to high school teams. I’m a former chairman of the United Way capital campaign. I had the honor of carrying the torch during Indiana’s bicentennial parade. I’m currently a member of the Seymour Noon Lions Club, Jackson County Community Corrections board, Jackson County EMS board, Jackson County 911 board, Indiana Sheriffs’ Association scholarship committee, Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, National Rifle Association, National Sheriff’s Association, and National Association of Chiefs of Police.
Minton: I am a lifelong resident of Jackson County, and I can trace my family history in Jackson County back to 1816. I take pride in saying I am from Jackson County. I have a large family that pushes and supports me in my endeavors. I am a 1992 graduate of Seymour High School. I met my wife, Jill, in 2009, and we were married in 2014 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour, where we are members. We live in southern Jackson County, where we have a small farm. We greatly enjoy our animals, particularly our German Shepherd, Ziska. I belong to the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Dudleytown Conservation Club and Fraternal Order of Police Donald M. Winn Lodge 108. I am a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Masonic Lodge 146.
Why did you decide to run/run again for sheriff?
Meyer: I’m running for a second term so I can continue to make improvements and complete the commitments my administration has made. In my first term, I’ve added two new deputies, a court security officer, a civil process server, school resource officers, new jail cameras and security system, body cameras for all deputies and jail staff, new handheld radios for deputies and jail staff and identification bracelets for inmates all without increasing taxes by proactively seeking available grants. I’ve also added a workout room for the wellness of our employees, the 20-year-old roof was replaced, the 20-year-old carpet was replaced and a new book-in counter was constructed to improve the safety of our staff. In my next term, as your sheriff, I will continue to work within my budget to make improvements to our sheriff’s department and jail and keep our taxes low.
Minton: I love Jackson County, and I want to contribute back to Jackson County. With my knowledge, experience and training, I believe I am the best candidate for leading Jackson County into the future. As a citizen of Jackson County, you deserve a sheriff’s office you can trust and depend on in your time of need. When I became a police officer, I knew that one day, I wanted to be sheriff of Jackson County. With our county facing lawsuits due to recent events under our current administration, now is the time for change. It’s our county, our future together for Jackson County.
What experience would you bring to the sheriff’s department?
Meyer: I have 22 years of experience working for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and over three years now as your sheriff. I’ve added many programs to our jail. Residents Encounter Christ, Corrections to Careers, GED for inmates, Celebrate Recovery, a Veterans Affairs program, Getting Ahead While Getting Out, a school to work program and Women Seeking Safety, just to name a few. I have partnered with Jackson County United Way to provide assistance with inmate health care, hygiene and winter packs when inmates get released. We also implemented an inmate classification system for the first time ever in department history. This substantially lowered the amount of incidents in our jail, which improved our efficiency and officer safety.
Minton: I have extensive experience with patrol and jail operations, courthouse operations, hospital security and building management. I have supervised many deputies and civilians during my career. My certifications include Indiana Law Enforcement Academy jail officers course, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy basic police academy, certified Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board instructor, Marion County Sheriff’s Office Supervisor Academy, PATC detective/investigations school, ALICE active shooter instructor, DARE officer school, crisis intervention training, Reid school of investigation/interrogation, less lethal weapons instructor, STOPS instructor, certified National Sheriffs’ Association court security, grant writing, national school resource officer school and a National Mental Health Association member.
What made you want to get into law enforcement?
Meyer: I wanted to be a positive influence in our community and keep it safe for future generations. It also gave me the opportunity to help others make better life choices. I’ve always been a quick thinker and had good problem-solving skills that are necessary for the job. The more positive police presence we have, the more people trust us and allow us to serve them better.
Minton: I have wanted to get into law enforcement since I was a child. It has been my dream to be sheriff of Jackson County since the first day I walked into the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Herschel Baughman, Gloria Baughman and Bob Thompson were the first sheriff’s administrators I worked with. They taught me so much about running a sheriff’s office. I got into law enforcement to help people in their time of need. Over my career, I have helped a mother when her child was choking. I have comforted victims in car crashes until an ambulance could arrive. I have helped volunteer fire departments with house fires. While I was a merit deputy, I enjoyed patrolling through our county. I was fortunate to meet many of you and discuss the various topics of the day: Farming, hunting and overall great conversation. If I help change one person’s life, I feel I have accomplished my goal of being a police officer.
What would your main priorities be for the sheriff’s department?
Meyer: I will continue the programs we’ve started and continue to build upon them. The battle against drugs in our community has been and will continue to be a top priority. I made the commitment when I ran in 2018 to add a drug detective and a K-9 program, and I did just that. Now, we are working on getting a drug task force for our county with the sheriff’s department being the lead. I’m currently working with the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association in the fight to keep Title 42 intact. The drugs reaching Jackson County come from the Mexican border. Our current president cannot open the border for everyone or this problem will continue to get worse. As an elected sheriff, I have a duty to help fight for our community. I fought for constitutional carry, and now, I’m fighting for Title 42. We’re continuing to update our policies for our sheriff’s deputies, jail staff and dispatchers. This helps improve expectations and accountability to better serve the people of Jackson County. My jail commander is an instructor for the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and regularly instructs classes for the Indiana jail officers school. Our deputies are involved in many community boards and organizations. We are building a positive presence in our community and improving communications with stakeholders in the county. I was also able to save taxpayers over $150,000 a year by negotiating an agreement for Tiger Correctional Services to operate our kitchen and provide meals to inmates.
Minton: Under my leadership, I will ensure the jail officers can provide a safe, clean and sanitary environment for those loved ones held in the Jackson County Jail. According to state law, I will ensure jail officers have continuing education and that any serious incidents are investigated thoroughly and timely. The patrol division will exemplify what I believe to be community policing. They will get out of their cars, speak with citizens and be the truest of public servants. We will break down barriers and stereotypes to earn the public trust that law enforcement needs to serve the community effectively. Law enforcement is not just a job. It’s a career. The personal and professional development of the men and women who serve Jackson County is of utmost importance. My staff will be taught proven leadership techniques and tools that promote growth and accomplish organizational goals. Jackson County is positioned in a prime location within the Crossroads of America to see the effects of organized criminal activity. My team will form and operate a specialized unit targeting drug traffickers, money launderers and human traffickers coming through Jackson County utilizing our portion of the interstate system beginning my first day in office. As a citizen of Jackson County, you deserve a sheriff’s office you can trust and depend on in your time of need. I humbly ask you to remember Shawn Minton as your candidate for Jackson County sheriff.