Baugh seeks sheriff's post

I believe the two most important aspects of our Putnam County Sheriff’s Department should be trustworthiness and responsiveness to the concerns and needs of every citizen. We the People of Putnam County should demand and expect nothing less than the highest level of professionalism and accountability from our elected officials.

I began my law enforcement career in 1992 as a Cloverdale reserve officer. At the same time, I attended Ball State University, earning a degree in criminal justice and criminology. After graduation, I returned home to raise our family with my wife of 27 years, Tara, who has devoted her career to students at Cloverdale Elementary School.

In 1995 I was offered a position with Indiana State Excise Police, and I only had one question, “Can I continue to live and work in Putnam County?” Throughout my career, I’ve gained valuable training and experience that uniquely qualifies me for the office of Putnam County Sheriff.

For the past 15 years I’ve served as supervisor of Indiana State Excise Police operations over a 17-county district which includes Putnam County. My interactions with both large and small Indiana police agencies has taught me what works and doesn’t work in the management of municipal and county law enforcement departments. My additional training as a graduate of Indiana’s Police Executive Leadership Academy included instruction in properly writing departmental operating procedures, professional management of budgets, and coordinated leadership in all aspects of agency operations.

I have served as president of the Putnam County Fraternal Order of Police for 20 years. My choice for chief deputy, Tom Sutherlin, has been a great partner, serving as FOP vice president throughout my tenure. Tom and I founded the Shop-With-A-Cop program which has been bringing kids and cops together for the past 22 years. When we noticed a need for firearms safety training, Tom and I co-organized the Putnam County 4-H Shooting Sports Program, now in its 17th year. Together, Tom and I have made Putnam County better.

Public safety has been, and will remain, my primary concern as your sheriff. For the past 20 years I’ve trained officers, teachers and parents in all four Putnam County school districts in drug and drug paraphernalia recognition and I instituted and continue to lead countywide active shooter response training program. It has been a pleasure to rise to these responsibilities, and I have not taken them lightly.

I am prepared to lead and I’m proud to have enjoyed so many opportunities to help make our community a better and safer place to live. On May 3 I’m asking for your vote to continue my long-standing commitment to responsible, home-grown community leadership as your Sheriff.