Editor’s note: This is the first in a four-part series giving Kosciusko County’s four candidates for sheriff a chance to recap their campaigns. Part two continues Thursday.

In a moment that seemed to stand out at the Kosciusko County sheriff’s debate last month, Tony Ciriello was matter-of-fact when he said he’s wanted to be sheriff for a long time and has assembled a resume built for the job.

Ciriello said he hopes voters don’t treat Tuesday’s primary election as a popularity contest, but rather an evaluation when comparing his record to his three opponents: county Deputy Chris Rager, State Trooper Kyle Dukes and incumbent Sheriff Rocky Goshert.

His resume spans 37 years of law enforcement, which he contends gives him the experience to step into the role.

He’s been a deputy patrol officer, a DARE officer and served as a police chief for more than 10 years before he became the county coroner in 2015.



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He said he respects each of the other candidates, but thinks his chance has arrived to run for the top law enforcement position in the county.

Unlike many past sheriff’s contests in the county, this year’s is wide open after Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine stepped down following a guilty plea that was part of a scandal.

“I could have waited another four years to see what happens,” Ciriello said while sipping coffee at B-Mac’s diner in –town Warsaw early Tuesday morning.

But after talking with several people, the 57-year-old concluded the time was right “to seek the nomination by the people and move forward with what we want to do.”



An Early Start

Ciriello grew up in Indianapolis, and was a volunteer fireman when he was lured away at the age of 20 by the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s office after becoming certified as a fire and arson investigator.

He was assigned to a northern Indiana district that included Kosciusko County, and within a few years, he joined the sheriff’s department as a deputy.

He spent about 20 years with the department and was police chief in Syracuse more than 10 years before being chosen by a Republican caucus to serve as coroner in 2015.

“As I was building my resume – if you will – I thought that would give me great experience at the county level as an elected official to gear myself toward a run for sheriff,” Ciriello said.

Ciriello is in his first full term after being elected to a four-year term in 2016.

He recalls a moment years ago that reminded him he could be more than a patrol deputy.

He had been eating supper at Dig’s Diner – where B-Mac’s is now – when he heard a call on the police radio about a stabbing at Westhaven Estates and headed over in his take-home patrol car.

As Ciriello was pulling into the park, a car was leaving and he made eye contact with the driver. A look in the rearview mirror revealed the vehicle had no license plate. He turned around, pulled over the driver and noticed the man had fresh blood on his pants. After further discussion, he was quickly arrested.

“That told me I was more than just a patrol deputy. I also had investigative instincts.”



Is There A Rift?

At least one candidate has pointed to an apparent rift between the sheriff’s department and Warsaw City Police, which came to light during  a court case that led to the ouster of Rovenstine.

Ciriello –plays the situation. On a scale of 1 to 5 –  with 5 being major – he gives it a 1.

“I’m in a unique situation as coroner to work with all law enforcement agencies. I work with the street level. I work with the investigators and I don’t see the battle that I hear. Has there been some hurt feelings? Sure, but I don’t see it as a battle.”



Future Plans

Asked about specific policy changes he would bring to the office, Ciriello said he would make the public information job a full-time position.

Traditionally, a public information officer prepares news releases and serves as a go-between with the media and the department.

He said the position is the most underutilized in the department and could take better advantage.

“There’s so many positive things the sheriff’s department does that should be part of what they get out” to the public, he said.

He would also like to see the department become accredited, which he said would ensure the department is operating the best it can and could help reduce the number of  liability lawsuits.

Ciriello said he knows of three sheriff’s departments in the state that are accredited, including Elkhart County.

Otherwise, future plans and proposals would be developed by a strategic plan team that would begin preparing for changes if Ciriello wins Tuesday’s primary.

The Democratic party does not have a candidate at this point, but could slate a candidate later this year.

Ciriello’s plan could be unveiled by the end of September  to allow  for “people to get prepared for any changes.

“I think it’s important for the employees of the sheriff department – whether it be merit, civilian – to have an idea before the guy walks in the door on Jan. 1, 2019, what they’re going to expect from him.”