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GPD names 2014 Officers of the Year
The Greencastle Police Department recently named Sgt. Charles Inman, Officer Kyle Lee and Reserve Officer Jes Seipel as its 2014 Officers of the Year.
The award recipients are chosen by their fellow officers based on the quality of work throughout the year.
"These three officers, Reserve Officer Jes Seipel, Officer Kyle Lee and Sgt. Charles Inman, were nominated by other officers on this police department," Greencastle Police Chief Tom Sutherlin said. "After reviewing their nominations by other officers and reviewing their work performance throughout the year, it was unanimous that these three officers deserved the award
"Reserve Officer Seipel, Officer Lee and Sgt. Inman are living examples of professionalism, dedication and trustworthiness men who serve and protect the citizens of Greencastle. For these reasons are why they were nominated by their peers for these awards."
Inman, a 1989 North Putnam High School graduate and three-time Officer of the Year award recipient, has been with the department since 2000.
"Sounds a bit cliché, but I simply got into law enforcement to help people," Inman explained. "I wanted a career I could be proud of at the end of the day.
"Several years ago I was the victim of violent crime. I always remember the way it felt to be victimized. I wanted to make a difference in my community so that others wouldn't have to experience that same feeling. And if they did, maybe I could do something to help them through it. I like to think along the way maybe I have."
Influenced not only by his fellow officers, but his father-in-law, late longtime educator Robert Berry, it is Inman's hope that he will be remembered as someone who helped make a difference.
"My wife (Megan) and I have been approached by so many people over the years who have shared his (Berry's) positive impact on them. As not only a police officer, but also an instructor at Area 30 Career Center, it's my hope to be one day remembered in such a way," Inman explained.
"Professionally, I would list recently retired Capt. Mike Hanlon as one of my biggest influencers. Hanlon was my first supervisor and very influential in my career. Not so much in regard to tactics and police operations, but simply how to treat people. He always showed compassion and reiterated that we don't meet folks on the best days of their lives. You can do the job well, making arrests and writing tickets but the numbers really mean nothing. It's the way that you treat people they'll always remember."
Having a job that never feels routine is what Inman cites as one of the driving forces that keeps him going each day. Whether it's responding to a domestic violence call, to a DUI arrest or maybe just stopping to talk and shake hands with a child, it is never the same.
"It's great to have a career that I love, that my wife and kids are proud of, too," Inman said. "They are definitely my greatest motivation. Whether it's flashing my red and blue lights and waving to them as I pull out of the driveway, to returning home to find them still safely sleeping in their beds, it makes it all worthwhile. This award means the world to me. I'm honored to be a three-time recipient of this award throughout my career, but this year seems different. When my name was called as the recipient, it was pretty emotional. There are so many great guys on our department doing great things daily. It is definitely an honor to be nominated, but it's the folks I work with that made it happen. I'm fortunate enough to work with some great guys, particularly my shift partners Nick Eastham and Matt Huffman. I love the job and they are a big part of it."
As the year comes to a close, Inman is looking forward to some welcome change, especially since the Greencastle Police Department will be losing some key leadership and experience from veteran officers Sgt. Terry Eastham and Officer Albert Epple, who are moving into retirement as well as the recently retired Hanlon.
"With the retirement of those two as well as Hanlon, I was recently joking that I have suddenly become one of the 'old guys' on the department," Inman said with a smile. "I hope to continue the path of department leadership and help to select the very best candidates for the positions. It's a pretty crucial time for law enforcement both nationally and locally, as there is a lot of distrust in the police. My hope is to help regain this trust through both department leadership and training."
Since joining the Greencastle Police Department, Inman has transitioned into the field of police training and education with his key area of expertise being emergency vehicle operations. As part of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association, Inman has been involved as a trainer in the area known as Below 100, a program directly related to emergency operations.
In 2015, Inman -- who was selected this summer as a statewide trainer of the program that seeks to significantly lower the number of police line of duty deaths through training and education -- will help roll out Below100 to local agencies and departments.
Lee, who also earned Officer of the Year distinction, is a Greencastle native and 2006 South Putnam graduate. He started his career in law enforcement as a reserve officer for the department in 2008 and after completing four years as a reserve, he was quickly hired on to the force full time in 2012.
"I always wanted to become a police officer because I enjoy something different on a daily basis as well as a good challenge," Lee said. "I have also always been proud of my community and wanted to preserve it for future generations. By serving as a police officer I feel that I'm doing that duty. My grandpa, John Kiesel, always wanted to be a police officer, so he was a driving force in encouraging me to achieve my goal in becoming an officer. "
Influenced by not only his grandfather, but his parents Danny Lee and Kerri Duncan as well as his stepdad Jeff Duncan for teaching him the value of hard work, Lee credits them to helping him achieving many of his goals he has set in life.
"Within the department I have received guidance from many veteran officers, these men have always been there to answer a question or give guidance or advice," Lee explained. "I did my first police ride-along with Officer Eric Vaughan 11 years ago when I was 16 years old, so he has always answered my questions or assisted me when I asked."
Within the next year, Lee hopes to stay focused and on track to achieve certain goals he has set for himself such as the ongoing battle with the war on drugs within the community. Lee also hopes to attend future trainings in his particular fields of interests such as drug interdiction and drug crimes.
"The feeling of doing my part in bettering my community and serving for a community that supports law enforcement makes it easy to put my uniform on everyday and walk into battle fighting crime," Lee added.
"The officers I work with on my shift, Capt. Chris Jones and Officer Vaughan, also make it easy to come to work because I trust them and I know that they have my back, as they know that I have theirs," he continued. "My wife, Megan Lee, also keeps me focused on my goals and keeps me on track, she's very supportive and that's imperative if you are a police officer by profession."
Since joining the department, there are several aspects of the job that keep him going such as helping a citizen in true distress, removing harmful drugs off the streets as well as arresting the individual(s) who distribute them within the community. Lee also enjoys talking to children who are intrigued by the uniform or police car as he remembers being "that kid" who would look up to officers and be amazed by everything from his badge to the items on his duty belt.
"This award means a lot to me because it shows that hard work does not go unnoticed, I'm honored because I truly believe that each officer employed by GPD works hard on a daily basis and could have received this award and recognition," Lee said. "Receiving this award has done nothing but fuel my endeavor to combat the drug problem in the city as well as do my part to provide the best police service to the citizens of Greencastle that I can."
Seipel, a 2011 Greencastle High School graduate, has been a reserve at the Greencastle Police Department for more than a year and he has also worked at the Putnam County Sheriff's Department as a jailer for four years.
"I got into law enforcement because I've always been interested in as a kid and have been around it for 22 years of life," Seipel said. "My biggest influence would be my dad, Randy, he's always been there for me and supported all my decisions in life as well as Officer Ed Wilson, who is not only like my second dad, but the person who took me under his wing to train me and to push me to always do the best I could. He has always supported me in every decision I've made with this job."
In the future, Seipel is hoping to become fulltime at the Greencastle Police Department as his main goal is ultimately to not only continue to help people, but to make a difference in his hometown.
"To be honest, the whole department has taught me so much about life and the job, which is why this award means a lot to me as I have only been on the department for a year," Seipel said. "We have some great reserves to choose from and it's a accomplishment. I always told myself I wanted to win that award sometime in my career."