Starke County Sheriff's Office

08/24/2026

08/13/2026

Last night, a little after 8:30 PM, Starke County Dispatch received a call about kittens that had been abandoned on the walking trail in North Judson.

North Judson Officer Stoll was dispatched and located four tiny kittens left in a box, soaking wet from the rain. Once they were brought to dispatch, Meagan, Sarah, and Izabell knew they had to do something.

Dispatchers are used to helping people on some of their worst days, but anyone who knows our crew knows that compassion doesn’t stop with people.

Izabell reached out to her director for some extra help. Becca gathered supplies she had at home and made a late night stop at a local store for everything else they would need since the farm stores were already closed. Together, the four ladies got the kittens cleaned up, dried off, warm, and fed.

Throughout the night, Meagan, Sarah, and Izabell continued caring for the kittens and making sure their little bellies stayed full. By morning, day shift dispatchers Katie, Pam, Kaylah, and Becca came in ready to take over and help however they could until a more permanent solution was found.

With the help of Corporal Tomasko, arrangements were made with Shanna at the Humane Society to take over their care.

We are incredibly thankful for Shanna and her continued commitment to caring for animals in need throughout Starke County. These babies are estimated to only be about 2 to 3 weeks old, which means around the clock bottle feedings and a whole lot of work acting as their temporary “mom.”

What started as four tiny, soaking wet kittens abandoned in a box ended with a whole group of people making sure they were warm, fed, safe, and given a chance.

If everything goes as planned, these four little ones should be ready for their forever homes just in time for fall. 🍂🐾

Sometimes the smallest calls bring out the biggest hearts. ❤️

08/11/2026

⚠️ WEATHER-RELATED CALLS ⚠️

Starke County Dispatch is currently extremely busy handling a high volume of weather-related incidents. Please help us keep 911 lines available for emergencies.

🌳 TREE IN THE ROADWAY:
Please call our non-emergency number at 574-772-3771 and select Option 2 for Dispatch.

⚡ TREE ON FIRE / POWER LINES INVOLVED:
Call 911.

When calling, please know your exact location and have as much information ready as possible for the dispatcher. Our phone lines are extremely busy, and having this information ready helps us get the appropriate resources where they need to be as quickly as possible.

Please be patient with our dispatchers, first responders, County Highway crews, and power companies as everyone works through the high volume of weather-related calls and damage. Crews are responding as quickly and safely as possible.

Please use 911 for emergencies only.

Thank you, and stay safe!

08/10/2026

Women's Handgun Safety Course!! Further information & the registration form can be found here: https://starkecountysheriff.com/index.php/news/womens-basic-handgun-safety-course/
Registration forms can also be picked up at the Sheriff's Office, 5435 E. State Road 8, Knox, IN 46534.
Please call 574-772-3771, option 6, if you have any questions!

08/07/2026

As schools across Starke County begin a new school year, we are excited to welcome you back! We wish each of you a successful, safe, and rewarding year ahead.

The Starke County Sheriff's Office is here to support you, your schools, and your events throughout the year. We are committed to working alongside your administrators, staff, and students to help ensure a safe and positive learning environment for everyone.

We hope you had a wonderful summer and were able to enjoy some well-deserved time with your family and friends. We also hope your first week back has been a great start to the school year.

Please know that the staff of the Starke County Sheriff's Office is always here to support you. We wish you the very best this school year, work hard, be kind, stay safe, and do your best!

07/22/2026

Congratulations to Starke County's newest dispatchers, Meagan Morrin and Kaylah Ferrell, on successfully completing IPSC's Pursuit Training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy!

This unique, hands-on training brings dispatchers and ILEA recruits together to learn the critical roles they each play during a vehicle pursuit. Dispatchers gain practical experience calling out pursuits over the radio, while future law enforcement officers learn how to safely conduct pursuits and effectively communicate with dispatch in real-time.

We're proud of Meagan and Kaylah for continuing to invest in their training and building the skills needed to serve the citizens of Starke County. Great job!

07/21/2026

The Starke County Sheriff's Office extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Sharon Lemke.

Sharon dedicated much of her life to serving the people of Starke County, wearing many hats throughout her career. She served with compassion and professionalism as a member of EMS, as Chief Dispatcher, and as a Matron, leaving a lasting impact on countless lives and helping shape public safety in our community.

Her greatest legacy, however, lives on through her family. Her daughter, Jana Manning, has continued Sharon's commitment to public service with over 30 years of dedicated service to Starke County and currently serves as the Deputy Director of 911. Sharon's passion for helping others is evident in Jana's unwavering dedication to the citizens and first responders she serves each day.

We are grateful for Sharon's years of service, her commitment to this community, and the example she set for those who followed in her footsteps. She will be remembered not only for the many roles she held but for the kindness, strength, and dedication she brought to each of them.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jana, the Lemke family, and all who knew and loved Sharon during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the memories you shared and in knowing that Sharon's legacy of service will continue to inspire generations to come.

Share Memories and Support the Family.

07/17/2026

This past week, 911 Director Becca Hardel had the opportunity to attend the NENA Center Manager Certificate Program (CMCP), made possible through funding from the Indiana Statewide 911 Board.

The CMCP is an intensive program designed for emerging and newly promoted Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) managers. Throughout the week, participants received hands-on training covering real-world topics such as human resources, budgeting, legal issues, leadership, and building a positive organizational culture.

This class was especially memorable because it marked the 200th CMCP class, making it an honor to be part of such a significant milestone in the program's history.

One of the best parts of the week was connecting with 911 professionals from across Indiana, sharing ideas, experiences, and building relationships that strengthen emergency communications throughout our state.

Congratulations also to the professionals from neighboring La Porte and Porter counties who completed the program. It was great to learn alongside our regional partners and continue building strong connections that benefit all of our communities.

A special thank you to the Indiana Statewide 911 Board for investing in the professional development of Indiana's 911 leaders and helping strengthen public safety across the state.

07/09/2026

Please slow down when passing our crew that is out working today! Thank you!