Homecoming: Chris Helmer returns to Greencastle Police Department

Having just completed the oath of office as the newest member of the Greencastle Police Department, Chris Helmer accepts a handshake from Mayor Bill Dory Friday morning. The local native returns to the department where his career began after stints in Speedway, Boone County and Owen County.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

Having made stops along the way in Speedway, Boone County and Owen County, a local lawman made his homecoming official on Friday.

Chris Helmer, who got his start in law enforcement with the Greencastle Police Department from 2006-10, took the oath of office from Mayor Bill Dory to return to GPD on Friday morning.

Helmer returns to where he got his start as “a 21-year-old kid” who took his oath as a reserve officer from former Mayor Nancy Michael.

“It means everything to come back,” Helmer said, “starting my career here, growing up here, running in the streets here.”

Of course, “running in the streets” couldn’t have meant causing too much trouble, as the 36-year-old is the son of former Putnam County Sheriff and longtime deputy Tom Helmer.

It’s something of a family tradition for the Helmers, as Mayor Dory noted, with brother Brian a current deputy with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.

For the last 12 years, though, Chris has that mantle elsewhere, first with the Speedway Police Department, then the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and most recently the Owen County Sheriff’s Office.

Helmer noted that he hopes he doesn’t see some of the same problems in Greencastle that he saw in his seven years in Speedway but believes it made him a better police officer.

Chief Tom Sutherlin certainly believes Helmer’s experience will be a boon to his department, noting that it’s the first hire for GPD in a long time who hasn’t had to go away to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

“We’re extremely excited to have Chris back. He started his career with us many years ago,” Sutherlin said. “Chris is a well-rounded, experienced police officer, and we’re confident we can hand him the keys to a police car with some minimal training from a field training officer.”

Helmer’s experience also includes that of being a family man, as he is married with “six incredible kids.” He believes being a parent makes him a better officer, and vice versa.

“In this job, some of the things you see inspire you to be a better parent,” Helmer said. “Being a family man makes you that much better of an officer.”

Mostly, Helmer is happy to be back home and prepared to stay.

“Nothing better than a full circle moment, to come back home,” Helmer said. “I’m happy to be home, and this is where I’ll retire.”