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PIERCETON - Sam Whitaker, a candidate for sheriff of Kosciusko County, was in the midst of talking issues when a dark shadow reappeared for the second time in two town hall meetings.
The shadow, in the form of Merl Heckaman, came late, left early and in between assailed Whitaker's handling of an investigation in which Heckaman's son was removed from Warsaw Community High School's varsity basketball team two seasons ago.
Heckaman, as he did two weeks ago in Mentone, asked why Whitaker put another officer's name on a report involving underage drinking that was forwarded to school officials and led to his son's removal from the squad.
Whitaker was suspended for one week as a result of the incident, but contends he was only doing his job. Supporters say Whitaker was the fall guy in a controversy involving the school and police.
The issue is further complicated by the fact that Whitaker's son earlier in the year was cut from the team, giving the appearance that Whitaker was possibly acting on a grudge against the school for his son's removal.
Heckaman's wife also spoke up Saturday during the meeting at the Wagon House restaurant in Pierceton, suggesting Whitaker, a 17-year veteran of the department, is unfit for the office he seeks.
"I don't think the kind of integrity you have is the kind of integrity we need in a sheriff," Joann Heckaman said.
Merl Heckaman claims information gained through talking with his son was given in confidence and that nothing would happen as a result. Whitaker says he did not make any promises to not forward the information.
Heckaman also voiced concern that he and Whitaker's families had been friends for years and that he felt betrayed.
Whitaker said he doesn't play favorites and pointed out that he once arrested his own cousin on drug charges.
Others among the dozen in attendance pointed out that Heckaman's son was guilty of a school violation and should have been penalized.
Whitaker reiterated his belief that he did the right thing. He offered to talk with the Heckamans after the meeting, but they walked out soon afterward.
Whitaker said he accepts the fact that Heckaman might continue to bring up the issue at future town hall meetings.
"I assume he will," Whitaker said.
Much of the meeting involved talk about dispatching and jail expansion.
Several EMTs and firemen attended the meeting, and more than one complained about the quality of dispatching. They contend interaction with dispatchers is at times poor and unprofessional.
One woman who said she is affiliated with two EMS agencies, said dispatchers occasionally belittle the agencies for not being available 24 hours a day. She also contends much of the talk on dispatch radios is uncalled for.
Whitaker said he would like to see "less chit-chat" and more use of numeric codes.
Dispatching at the sheriff's department would be more effective, he said, if it was moved to another part of the building. Currently, dispatchers watch several doors and occasionally are interrupted by personnel coming and going through the office.
As for jail expansion, Whitaker said the opening of a new prison in Peru might help ease overcrowding in the county jail because the jail currently houses prisoners for the state.
Funds generated by the county for housing Department of Corrections inmates should be applied toward a building fund, he said.
