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Sibbitt announces bid for sheriff on Republican ballot
Putnam County Sheriff's Department Deputy Robert Craig Sibbitt has announced his candidacy for sheriff on the Republican ballot in the May 6 primary.
"I believe that with my life experiences, running my own business while farming, along with my training and experience in law enforcement, that I bring more to the table than anyone else in the upcoming election," Sibbitt said.
"My record while at the Putnam County Sheriff's Office is unblemished," Sibbitt stressed. "I promise you that when I am sheriff, my decisions will be made on merit, integrity, honesty and common sense."
Sibbitt said his decision to run for sheriff was "based on the people of this fine community and the officers and deputies that I work with every day."
"Without their support," he said, "I would not be attempting this task. These citizens came to me wanting change. How could I let down my troops and the community? I promise that I am not running for political or financial gain or power."
Born in Putnam County in 1956, he is the son of Bob Harold Sibbitt and the late Rita Dee Robinson Sibbitt.
He attended Fillmore Elementary and South Putnam High School and was a member of the first SPHS basketball team to win the Putnam County tourney and the sectional in 1974. He was also the first player inducted into the South Putnam 1,000-Point Club.
Sibbitt attended Indiana State University and then decided to start farming and raise a family. He has three children and four grandchildren and is the husband to Jeanne Rowings Sibbitt.
While farming for 25 years, Sibbitt has been active in the cattle industry on state and national levels. Actively working with 4-H Beef program participants, he has served on the Fair Board and as Beef Barn superintendent.
In 2003, Sibbitt was hired as a part-time jailer at the Putnam Jail.
"I quickly advanced to full time," he said, "and was trained in all aspects of jail procedures. I attended supervisor's jailer school and was promoted to supervisor.
"I then entered the hiring process for a road merit deputy," he continued. "In 2004, due to the tragic death of Capt. Jim Baugh, I was hired as a road deputy."
Sibbitt attended the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, graduating in 2004.
"After graduation, I was very interested in trying to make a difference in crime," he said. "Due to my training and experience, I knew that at least 70 percent of all criminal activity was committed due to the use of narcotics.
"Getting impaired drivers off the streets, in conjunction with other crimes, drug activity and criminal interdiction became my strong suits. After making hundreds of arrests, I was made a K-9 officer and received a K-9 partner (TWO)."
After training together in Kentucky for approximately 16 weeks at Advance Canine, Sibbitt and his K-9 partner "became well known for our large seizures of contraband that we were taking of the streets at both a state and national level."
He was promoted initially to corporal and then to sergeant and was also a member of the SWAT (ERT team).
Sibbitt has received several awards, including one from the DEA for the large amounts of U.S. currency and narcotics he seized, along with high-profile arrests made during those seizures.
He also has been awarded Deputy of the Year and given the Medal of Valor.
As one of two certified instructors at the Sheriff's Office, Sibbitt said he enjoys teaching and educating other agencies about drug interdiction.
"I also enjoy educating the children in the county schools about narcotics and conducting K-9 demonstrations," he added.