Shane McHenry
4938 Indian Ridge, Aurora, IN 47001
Office Sought: Dearborn County Sheriff
How people can contact you:
Email: smchenry76@gmail.com
Phone: 812-290-8468
Facebook: Shane McHenry for Dearborn County Sheriff
I was born and raised in Dearborn County and I have been a lifelong resident. I graduated from South Dearborn High School in 1995 and then went to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana where I graduated in 1999. While obtaining my degree, I became employed with the Indiana University Police Department and graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1997. After college, I returned home to Dearborn County and have resided here with my family ever since. I was hired by the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department in March of 2001 as a Deputy, was promoted to Detective in June of 2003 and appointed to the rank of Detective Sergeant in January of 2011. I spent most of the 13 years with the Sheriff’s Department assigned to the Special Crimes Unit until March of 2014 when I was hired as an Investigator for the Dearborn/Ohio County Prosecutor’s Office. During my time with the Sheriff’s Department, I was awarded the Excellence in Law Enforcement Award in 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2010. In 2005, I received the great honor of being named the Tom Cochran Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. I also received the Dillsboro Homecoming Police Officer of the Year award in 2010. I was elected as Dearborn County Commissioner in 2010 and began serving my 4-year term in 2011. In 2014, I was re-elected as Dearborn County Commissioner and I have served as President of the Dearborn County Board of Commissioners since January of 2013. I have also served on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Drug Enforcement Association as the Southeast District Representative for the last several years. I am very active in youth sports and enjoy spending time with my family especially my three children ages 14, 12 and 10.
Why are you the best candidate for the office you are seeking?
I believe that I am the best candidate to be the next Sheriff because I am uniquely qualified for the job based on my law enforcement experience, experience as a County Commissioner, over 1000 hours of training, leadership experience and education. The Sheriff’s main functions are keeping the peace, operating the county jail and providing court security. The job of the Sheriff carries a lot of administrative responsibilities including managing close to a 6 million dollar budget and approximately 80 employees. I have 20 years of law enforcement experience and have served as a patrolman/deputy, Detective/Sgt. in investigations and an investigator. I have spent most of my law enforcement career as a narcotics detective which is extremely important considering the overwhelming drug problem that faces our community and nation. I have also spent the last 6½ years as a County Commissioner and served as President of the Board of Commissioners since 2013. My experience as a Commissioner has prepared me for all of the administrative functions that the Sheriff carries out and has afforded me the opportunity to understand how county government works in all facets.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
The main priorities that I would like to focus on would be:
Attack the drug problem and drug-related crimes through interdiction investigations, criminal investigations and community partnerships
Create programs that improve the physical and mental health of our law enforcement personnel
Develop and maintain a strong partnerships between our communities and law enforcement including a stronger relationship with our schools and youth
I will work to ensure a safe and efficiently run jail without increasing costs to the taxpayer