Another longtime area police officer has thrown his hat into the ring in a bid to become the next sheriff of Kosciusko County, bringing the current number of candidates to five.
Louis “Bill” Brown, 60, a former Indiana State Police Commander, made his intentions known Friday.
Others who have announced their intentions include Indiana State Police Trooper Kyle Dukes, former Warsaw Police Detective Jordan Foreman, Kosciusko County sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Det. Joshua Spangle and William “Rocky” Goshert, who has a held the post before and is currently serving as interim sheriff.
The list still has time to grow before Republican leaders from across the county gather on June 21 to make a selection. Anyone seeking to apply, must do so with the Republican party 72 hours before the caucus convenes.
The vacancy comes after Aaron Rovenstine was removed from office in late May after a plea deal and sentencing led to his conviction on a single felony count of intimidation.
Brown lives in Pierceton and had a 33-year career with the Indiana State Police where he worked as a trooper and held several ranks, including District Commander at the Lowell police post.
He was a candidate for sheriff in 2006.
He currently works as an inspector for the Indiana State Department of Toxicology, which provides services for law enforcement.
He said several people approached him about running and said he believes the sheriff’s department needs fresh leadership.
“With the recent events that have occurred with the Sheriff’s Department, it is time to bring in new proven leadership, integrity and professionalism to the department and begin moving forward,” Brown said. “I believe that with the years of leadership and supervision experience, I am the candidate to accomplish this.”
Brown and his wife, Vicki, and are the parents of four children.
His family has embraced law enforcement. His father, Eugene Brown, retired from the Warsaw Police Department and also worked in the Kosciusko County Probation Department. While one brother retired from the Goshen Police Department another brother was a longtime dispatcher with the Kosciusko County sheriff’s office and currently works in the work release division.
