COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Decatur county Sheriff Daryl Templeton announced today that the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association will again be awarding college scholarships to qualified high school seniors or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies. There will be approximately 40 - $500 scholarships awarded to qualifying students throughout the state.

The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association Scholarship Fund was established for the purpose of receiving, investing and dispensing of funds to provide college scholarships to qualified students who are committed to pursuing an education and career in the law enforcement field.

To qualify for one of these scholarships, the applicant must be an Indiana resident, be a current member of the association or a dependent child or grandchild of a current member of the association, attend an Indiana college or university, major in law enforcement field and enroll as a full-time student (12 hours).

Applications needed to apply for the scholarships are available from your high school counselor, the sheriff’s office or by writing to the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, Post Office Box 19127, Indianapolis, Indiana 46219, and requesting an application form. The applications must be completed and received by the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association on or before April 1.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cops Help Kids Stake Out Winter Essentials

Joe Hornaday
Greensburg Daily News

It might have looked like a crime scene inside the local Wal-Mart early Saturday morning, with cops milling around and people eagerly standing by.

In reality, the local law enforcers had arrived at the store for the annual holiday tradition, Shop With A Cop. Every year, kids from around Decatur County are given the opportunity to stock up on necessary and essential supplies with Greensburg Police Department officers and Decatur County Sheriff’s Department deputies. Working in conjunction with the county’s three schools, law enforcement identifies kids who need a little boost during the holidays. At Shop With A Cop, the kids are able to pick up hats, coats, gloves, pants and other fundamental items.

At 7 a.m. on Saturday, the line of families was backed up to the front doors from the produce section at Wal-Mart. DCSD Sgt. Brian McCullough, who helped organize the event, said there were close to 100 kids at this year’s Shop With A Cop, each with $150 to spend.

“There’s a lot more people in need,” McCullough said.

All of the money that purchases the items comes from donations, McCullough added. Cops, deputies, members of the Fraternal of Police (FOP) and high school kids from the city and county helped out at this year’s Shop With A Cop.

“We get a lot of support from the community for this,” McCullough explained.

Shop With A Cop has been a popular event in Decatur County for more than 14 years. McCullough shared his thankfulness for the support from local donations and the help of Wal-Mart in making Shop With A Cop a reality for Decatur County kids.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On August 22, 2009 a few members of the Decatur County Sheriff's Department assisted in raising funds for New Directions, a women's shelter in Greensburg, by participating in the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event. Deputy Rick Underhill and Deputy Brian McCullough participated in the actual walk in heels and Lt. Darren Lucas gave the children face painting.

The Decatur County Sheriff's Department is very active in our community, especially with the children.

Our Department teaches gun safety and drug awareness right in our schools. We feel it is important to teach our youth so that they may grow up to be responsible and knowledgeable citizens.

The Fraternal Order of Police and the Greensburg Lodge #104 participating in the Shop With A Cop Program. Students from the three Decatur County Schools participated in the program.

The Shop with a Cop, Inc. program provides for needy families and children during the holiday season. 

Last year, the Shop With a Cop endeavor helped a record number of youngsters, 126, buy winter coats, gloves, hats, clothes and a toy. The officers spent approximately $150 on each child. Nearly 115 have already been chosen for this year’s event to be held December 10 at Walmart. This year Walmart opened a special register just for the program.

The participants, from first to sixth graders, are selected by the staff at their respective schools.

The children also learn a bit about what a police officer is and does. They spend time with the officer while shopping.

The Program is supported by Law Enforcement & Emergency Personnel all Volunteering their time.  They are sustained by contributions from individuals, businesses and our communities  through a number of special events, contributions and fund raising activities.

If you are interested in assisting us in this wonderful program and would like to make a donation, please contact the Westport Police Department for additional information.

Remember, you can help make a difference in a child's life this holiday season!
 

Officers from the Greensburg Police, Decatur County Sheriff’s and Westport Police departments helped shop for 80 local youths and spent roughly $13,000 raised to brighten their Christmas.

In addition to the 15 officers, high school students from North, South and Greensburg also pitched in as did helpers from Delta Theta Tau and the Community Action Coalition. Pictured is the Wal-Mart store manager, Toni Rodriguez, with the volunteers.

----------------------------------------------------

Sheriff Daryl Templeton displays the flag and booklet from Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Rohr, who is currently serving in Iraq as part of the 38th Military Police Company. The flag was flown on combat missions in Iraq, and the booklet expressed the 38th’s appreciation for the support from the Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s Department Receives Gift Of Honor

Joe Hornaday
Courtesy of the Greensburg Daily News
 

After being the recipient of several care packages from home, Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Rohr, currently stationed in Iraq, decided to turn the tables and send home a little piece of the battlefield.

In early December, the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department received a package including an American flag and a small booklet from Rohr, who serves as part of the 38th Military Police Company in the National Guard.

“The flag was actually flown on a combat patrol in Iraq,” Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Darin Lucas said.

In the picture that arrived at the station, Rohr and his comrades from the 38th are seen posing in front of an armored vehicle, which displayed the flag on missions.

Now that flag is at the Sheriff’s Department, ceremoniously folded into the familiar triangle and awaiting its fate. Lucas and Sheriff Daryl Templeton are planning to place the flag and the photo book in the front entrance so visitors to the station will be able to see it upon entering.

“Kevin put this together himself,” Templeton said of the arrangement.

The public display that will honor Rohr’s military service will be mounted into a glass case, a project being spearheaded by Lucas.

“It’ll give everyone over here something to appreciate,” Templeton added.

He hopes the project will be completed by February, in time to greet Rohr upon his arrival back in Decatur County in March.

“We want to get it up before he gets back,” Templeton said. “It should be nice for everyone in the community that something like that will be here.”

Along with the picture is a short note from the 38th Military Police Company.

“On 13 Nov. 08, this flag was taken on combat patrol in Baghdad, Iraq, with 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, of the 38th Military Police Company. It is with great honor to present this flag to Decatur County Sheriff’s Department in appreciation for the support of SFC Kevin Rohr while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.”