President’s Message

Words cannot express how honored and humbled I am to be the newly elected Indiana Sheriffs’ Association President. Stepping into this new role, I am reminded of the profound responsibility that comes with our title. As we know, being a Sheriff is not just a job title; it is a commitment to safeguarding the values and well-being of our communities. My new role in supporting 91 Indiana Sheriffs in their mission to serve and protect their communities is not one I take lightly.

As we enter 2024, I would like to share with you my goals for my time as your president.

First, I am committed to protecting the constitutional office of the Sheriff. By statute, it is the responsibility of the Sheriff to care for inmates in their county jail. A sheriff should always have the opportunity to choose the medical care providers, food service contracts, and security measures that make the most sense for their jail and inmates.
That duty which requires an unique level of experience and knowledge is being threatened in an attempted power grab. It is essential to preserve the powers of the Sheriff’s Office for the safety of the inmates housed in our jails and for the security of the citizens in our county.

Under my leadership, the ISA will continue to hold other state agencies accountable for their responsibilities. The Department of Corrections must claim inmates from local county jails within five days after sentencing. Today, these inmates are sitting in local jails for over 100 days before being processed by the DOC. The DOC’s inability to process inmates promptly has led to overcrowded jails and most importantly, an increased risk of liability for Sheriffs left with unclaimed inmates in their care. It is important to me that we find a solution to this issue that better supports our Sheriffs as inmates are processed by the DOC.

As president, I would like to continue to provide the highest level of training available to law enforcement officials and correctional deputies in the state of Indiana. I have always admired the way ISA leadership has prioritized and sought out top-tier experts in a wide range of fields that add value to our organizations’ success and longevity.
Lastly, it is clear to me that to be a successful Sheriff, you must earn the trust of the community that we serve. I am committed to helping our sheriffs be best equipped with the tools necessary to build strong and lasting relationships with their community through open and honest communication. This year, the ISA will continue to give back to the communities we serve through hosting our Kids Camp experience and donating over $30,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors. This philanthropic tradition is just one piece of the puzzle in creating a better future for our community and the sheriffs to come.

Thank you for the privilege of serving this fine organization and allowing me to contribute to its bright future.

Sincerely,
Daniel L. Mawhorr
Adams County Sheriff
2024 ISA President