Howard County Sheriff's Office

09/01/2026

Howard County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit attended the 27th Annual AWD K9 Olympics

The Howard County Sheriff’s Office is proud of our K9 Unit for how they represented the department and Howard County at the 27th Annual AWD K9 Olympics, held at Vohne Liche Kennels. The competition brought together more than 85 K9 teams from across the country and around the world, including several military and special forces teams, providing an opportunity to compete alongside some of the best K9 teams in the field.

Through challenging events and demanding conditions, our K9 team performed at an incredibly high level, making these accomplishments especially impressive.

The HCSO K9 team participating finished with the following:

Det. William Cline & K9 Kees
🥇 1st Place – Obedience

Overall Patrol Team
🥉 3rd Place

The patrol team consisted of:

Det. William Cline, K9 Kees– Howard County Sheriff’s Office
Corporal Joe Underwood, K9 Fero – Howard County Sheriff’s Office
K9 Officer Ryan Adams, K9 Perec – Kokomo Police Department

The HCSO K9 Unit puts in a tremendous amount of time, training, and effort throughout the year to ensure our teams are ready to answer the call and protect our community. Competing alongside K9 teams from across the country and around the world provides an opportunity to test our skills, strengthen our capabilities, and continue striving for excellence.
We are extremely proud of our K9s and everyone involved in this competition. Their hard work and dedication are a reflection of the commitment of the Howard County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit and our law enforcement partners.

Captain Buckley

08/26/2026

ICAC Operation Targeting Online Child Predators

In July of 2026, the Howard County Sheriff's Office hosted a week-long, multi-agency undercover online chat operation targeting individuals seeking to s*xually exploit minors through internet-based communications.

Participating agencies included the Howard County Sheriff's Office Task Force Unit, the Kokomo Police Department, the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, the Indiana State Police, and the Department of Homeland Security.

During the operation, investigators utilized undercover online personas portraying underage individuals to identify persons attempting to engage in criminal activity involving minors. Throughout the operation, numerous online conversations were initiated with individuals who believed they were communicating with juveniles.

As a direct result of this operation, two individuals traveled to a predetermined meeting location with the intent to engage in s*xual acts with individuals they believed to be under the age of eighteen. Upon arrival, both individuals were taken into custody without incident.

The following individuals were arrested:

Kevin Shaia, 33, of La Porte, IN
Child Solicitation, Level 4 Felony
Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 Felony

Christopher Amici, 42, of Kokomo, IN
Child Solicitation, Level 4 Felony
Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 Felony

The Indiana ICAC Task Force encourages Hoosiers to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The NCMEC website can be accessed through the ICAC Task Force website. To report a crime with your child as a victim involving the Internet or other electronic means, please contact your local Indiana law enforcement agency. To learn more about the efforts of the Indiana ICAC, visit https://internetcrimesagainstkids.com.

The Howard County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that the filing of the information is merely an allegation, and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

08/25/2026

08/24/2026

KPD-26-02360

The Kokomo Police Department is requesting the public's assistance in finding 16-year-old Nevaeh E. McKinney. Nevaeh was reported as a juvenile runaway on May 30th, 2026.

If anyone has any information regarding Nevaeh's whereabouts, please contact Detective Sgt. Drew J. Wallsmith #389 at 765-456-7388 or via email ([email protected]). You may also contact the Howard County Communications Center at 765-457-1105. Other options include contacting the Kokomo Police Department Hotline at 765-456-7017, or submitting a tip anonymously by downloading the "Kokomo PD" mobile app from the iOS or Google Play stores. You can also send in a tip by texting TIPKPD, then a space, and then your tip, and send it to 847411.

08/24/2026

Howard County Sheriff’s Office Increases Impaired Driving Enforcement Ahead of Labor Day

KOKOMO, Ind. – The Howard County Sheriff’s Office will increase impaired driving enforcement through the Labor Day holiday as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

Beginning now through September 7, deputies will conduct additional patrols throughout Howard County with an emphasis on identifying impaired drivers and preventing alcohol and drug-related crashes. The additional enforcement is funded through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute’s Comprehensive Highway Injury Reduction Program (CHIRP).

Labor Day weekend traditionally marks one of the final major travel weekends of the summer, bringing increased traffic to roadways throughout Howard County and across Indiana. Deputies are reminding motorists that impaired driving is preventable and that planning ahead can prevent a serious or fatal crash.

“Impaired driving crashes are completely preventable,” said Capt. Jordan Buckley. “If your plans involve alcohol, make your transportation plans before you start drinking. Have a designated driver, use a rideshare service, or make arrangements to stay where you are. There is never a good reason to drive impaired.”

Preliminary data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System shows that in 2025, nearly 23% of Indiana traffic fatalities involved alcohol, while more than 41% involved drug impairment.
In Indiana, motorists are prohibited from operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater. However, a driver may still be arrested for operating while intoxicated at a lower alcohol concentration when evidence shows the driver is impaired. Drug-impaired driving, including impairment caused by prescription or illegal drugs, can also result in arrest.

The Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone to do their part by planning a sober ride before drinking, preventing an impaired person from getting behind the wheel, and calling 911 when they observe a driver they believe may be impaired. Motorists and passengers should also wear their seat belts every trip.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and supported by federal traffic safety funding provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Howard County Sheriff's Office encourages anyone with information regarding criminal activity to report it. Tips may be submitted through the Howard County Sheriff's Office mobile app, by visiting the Sheriff's Office website, or by contacting law enforcement directly.

08/21/2026

The Howard County Sheriff’s Office is proud to congratulate Deputy Micah Thomas #34-109 and Deputy Nick Begley #34-110 on their graduation from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) as members of Basic Class 239!

Both deputies successfully completed the rigorous 16-week academy, where they received extensive training in areas including criminal law, emergency vehicle operations, fi****ms, defensive tactics, investigations, and other essential law enforcement skills.

Deputy Thomas was born in Kokomo and has spent the majority of his life in Greentown. He is a 2013 graduate of Eastern High School. Prior to becoming a deputy, he worked as a Manufacturing Supervisor for Atkore and later joined the Howard County Sheriff’s Office as a Civil Process Server in September 2025.

Deputy Begley is a graduate of Tipton High School and enlisted in the United States Army in 2004, serving for ten years as a Military Policeman with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. He also brings extensive leadership experience from both military and civilian production environments. Prior to becoming a deputy, he served as a Corrections Officer with the Howard County Jail. Deputy Begley and his wife, Sarah, have been married for 17 years and have two sons, Collin and Gavin.

With their academy training now complete, Deputy Thomas and Deputy Begley will return to Howard County and begin our 14-week Field Training Program (FTO). During this next phase, they will work alongside experienced Field Training Officers as they continue developing the knowledge and skills necessary to serve the citizens of Howard County.

Please join us in congratulating Deputy Thomas and Deputy Begley on their graduation from ILEA Basic Class 239 and wishing them continued success as they begin the next phase of their law enforcement careers!

Captain Buckley

(Photo L-R)
Deputy Thomas
Sheriff Asher
Deputy Begley

08/20/2026

🥎 9th Annual Military Foundation Charity Softball Event

The Howard County Sheriff’s Office is proud to once again take part in the Military Foundation’s Annual Charity Softball Event!

Join us Saturday, September 19th at Kokomo Municipal Stadium for a full day of softball, food, a silent auction, door prizes, and plenty of friendly competition, all while supporting a great cause.

Gates open at 7:00 a.m., with games beginning at 8:00 a.m.

🚔 The Howard County Sheriff’s Office takes the field at 10:45 a.m. against Carpenters Local 615.

Come out, cheer on your local first responders, labor organizations, and military team, and help support the Military Foundation!

📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
📍 Kokomo Municipal Stadium
400 S. Union St., Kokomo
🎟 Free Will Donation

We hope to see you there!
Captain Buckley

08/19/2026

Beginning today, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office is holding a raffle with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Carl Koontz Memorial Scholarship Fund.

We have two incredible items up for grabs:

🏈 Indianapolis Colts Autographed Helmet signed by Colts legends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis and displayed in a glass case.

⚾ Autographed Baseball Bat signed by two-time World Series Champion Howard Johnson and displayed in a glass case.

🎟️ Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased at the Howard County Sheriff’s Office front desk or the FOP during normal business hours.

The drawing will take place during our Annual Golf Outing on September 18th.

You do NOT have to be present to win!

08/18/2026

Employee Recognition – Weather Emergency

The following was read at the Howard County Board of Commissioners Meeting on 8/17/26:

Today, we want to recognize the employees who demonstrated outstanding leadership, professionalism, and composure during the severe weather emergency on June 11, 2026.

As severe weather impacted HCWR, staff quickly put emergency procedures into action, safely relocating all offenders and ensuring everyone was accounted for. Leadership was promptly notified and staff maintained communication with County and departmental leadership throughout the evening. Despite power loss, facility concerns, and an uncertain situation, staff remained calm, communicated effectively, and worked together to maintain safety and security.

We also want to recognize the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, including Captain Matt Deckard, Major Gary Cook, the SERT - Special Emergency Response Team, and HCCJC jail staff, for their assistance in safely relocating the offenders.

The cooperation and professionalism displayed by everyone involved turned what could have been a chaotic situation into a safe and organized response. Several WR offenders expressed their appreciation for how quickly staff developed a plan and how smoothly the situation was handled.
We are proud of the teamwork, dedication, and commitment demonstrated by our employees during this emergency.

WR Director, Jeremie Lovall
WR Facility Manager, Amie Campbell
Detention Officer Jacob Maroney
Detention Supervisor Kia Herron
Detention Supervisor Phillip Taylor
Detention Officer Joanne Thornton
Detention Officer Zachary Weaver
Major Gary Cook
Captain Matthew Deckard
Sergeant Steve Kline
Sergeant Michael Hamilton
Corporal Mark Brackett
Corporal Alan Weimer
Deputy Jordan Hicks
Deputy Draven Browning
Officer Joseph Washington
Jail Sergeant Dakota Childers
Jail Corporal Robert Rood
Officer Shawnda Russo
Officer Daniel Bonds
Sergeant Kameron Hill
Sergeant Daniel Dismukes
Corporal Dakota Bess
Corporal Joshua Sawyer
Officer Brian Jameson
Officer John Dooley
Sergeant Layne Rider
Officer Jarrett Regan