Video: Republican candidates for Elkhart County sheriff participate in debate

All three republican candidates for Elkhart County Sheriff participated in a live debate at IUSB Elkhart Center Wednesday evening.

The debate was sponsored by the American Democracy Project and Political Science Club IU South Bend and the League of Women Voters of Elkhart County and ABC57 News.

The candidates include 35 year sheriff department veteran, Investigator Fred Mock, a 35-year veteran of the sheriff's department, Captain John Perry, a 30-year veteran of the sheriff's department, and Captain Jeff Siegel, a 26-year veteran of the sheriff's department.

Fred Mock

Professional:

• Has more than 34 years of law enforcement experience
• Currently assigned as the investigator to the corrections division
• Began law enforcement career as a corrections officer in 1983
• Graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy basic class in 1985
• Positions include Merit Deputy (Patrol Division), Detective Bureau (1994)
• 1998: Graduated from Maryland Institute of Criminal Justice - as Certified Polygraph Examiner.  To date, he's conducted over 650 polygraph exams
• Promoted to Compliance Lieutenant after graduating from Tri-State University (Bachelor's Degree)
• 2005: Chosen to be the investigator for the new Corrections Center

Personal:

Fred and his wife reside in Middlebury

Visit Fred Mock's campaign website

 

John Perry

Professional:

• Has more than 30 years of service to the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department
• Started as an explorer in the Explorers' Program in 1980.
• Hired as a part-time work crew supervisor in 1983
• Full-time officer in 1984
• Jail Sergeant in 1985
• Served in the Patrol Division for almost 17 years (started in 1987)
• Currently runs the Correctional Division of the Sheriff's Department. (the largest division with over 100 employees)
• Served as Captain of the Jail from 1995-2000
• Served as Captain of Patrol from 2000-2003
• Dean's Scholar at the University of Louisville's Administrative Officer Course
• 2007 Indiana Law Enforcement Officer of the Year (issued by Indiana Disabled American Veterans)
• 1997 County Employee of the Year Award

Personal:

• Member of two non-profit boards, active in youth sports as an official, league board member, coach, and mentor.
• Retired from volunteer firefighting after 22 years.
• Has worked more that 20 years with our local school system.
• Business owner, father, grandfather, and church member.

Click here to visit John Perry's campaign website

Jeff Siegel

Professional:

• Started his career with the LaGrange County Sheriff's Department as a Corrections Officer
• Graduated from Ball State University (Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice)
• 1991 - became a Patrol Officer with Elkhart County Sheriff's Department
• Served as an Undercover Officer in the Elkhart County Drug Task Force.
• Served on Sheriff's Emergency Services Unit for many years and ultimately retired as the Units Commander.
• 1997 - promoted to Detective, working property crimes and crimes against children
• Graduated from the Maryland Institute of Criminal Justice as a certified and licensed Polygraph Examiner.
• Full member of the American Polygraph Association.
• SWAT Commander for 4 years
• 2004 - promoted to Detective Bureau Commander with the rank of Captain.  (Current Position)
• Graduate of the Police Executive Leadership Academy
• Current President of the Elkhart County Drug Free Partnership
• Board member for The Crossing Alternative School

Personal:

• Married to wife, Becky, for more than 28 years
• Two children: Hannah (20) and Jeremy (24),
• Avid outdoorsman, loves hunting fishing and four-wheeling in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Click here to visit Jeff Siegel's campaign website