Sheriff-elect John Boyd has announced his new administrative changes as he prepares to take office on January 1, 2015. The following changes will become effective on January 1, 2015:
Chief Deputy- Ronald Heeg
Ron Heeg is a 17 year veteran of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office. He has been appointed to the position of Chief Deputy, which is second in command. He currently holds the rank of Sergeant and serves as the Assistant Detective Bureau Commander. He is also currently the Emergency Response Team Commander. He is a 1998 graduate of Indiana University with an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice. Sergeant Heeg graduated from the 139th session of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1999 and is a 1995 graduate of Michigan City Rogers High School.
Major – James Sosinski
James Sosinski is a 32 year veteran of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office. He will be promoted to the rank of Major on January 1, which is third in command at the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office. He is being promoted from the rank of Captain and he has previously served as the Commander of the Warrant Division and is currently the Chief Deputy, having been appointed to that position by Sheriff Michael Mollenhauer. He is a former employee of the Indiana Department of Corrections having been employed at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. He is a 1985 graduate of the 82nd session of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and a graduate of Michigan City Rogers High School.
Administrative Captain – Michael Kellems
Mike Kellems is a 27 year veteran of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office. He currently serves as the Jail Commander and holds the rank of Captain. During his tenure at the Sheriff’s Office he served as a Jail deputy, patrol deputy, DARE Instructor, School Resource Officer, Detective, patrol supervisor and was a former commander of the Warrants Division. He is a 1989 graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy’s 98th session and a 1986 graduate of Vincennes University with an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice and he graduated from Howe Military Academy in 1983. In his new position as Administrative Captain, he will also serve as the Department’s Public Information Officer and be the point of contact for all media requests.
Jail Commander – Heath Haferkamp
Heath Haferkamp is a 25 year veteran of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office and currently serves as the agency’s Administrative Captain. He has previously served as a Jail deputy, patrol deputy, Detective, patrol supervisor and formerly commanded the Warrants Division. He also currently serves as the Department’s training coordinator and is also the Firearms Range Master. Captain Haferkamp is a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy’s 107th session and is a 1985 graduate of Michigan City Elston High School.
Assistant Detective Bureau Commander – Derek Allen
Derek Allen has been a member of the Department since 2001 and has served as a Jail deputy, patrol deputy and was promoted to rank of Sergeant in 2011. He is currently a patrol shift supervisor and will become the Assistant Detective Bureau Commander on January 1. Sergeant Allen has been the Field Training Program Manager and has commanded the La Porte County DUI Task Force. He is a 2002 graduate of the 152nd session of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. He is also a 2001 graduate of Ball State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He graduated from South Central High School in 1995.
Newly Promoted to Rank of Sergeant – Steve Lestinsky Jr.
Steve Lestinsky began his employment as a Jail Deputy with the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office in 1993. He was hired as a patrol deputy in 1998 and has been assigned to the Warrants Division since 2010. He is a 1998 graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy’s 133rd session and a 1983 graduate of New Prairie High School. Lestinsky has also served as the Kankakee Township Trustee since 1991. On January 1 he will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant and be assigned to the Patrol Division dayshift.
Sheriff-elect John Boyd states: “I am very pleased with our administrative team as we prepare to face the challenges that lay ahead. Our Division Commanders and administrative staff have nearly two hundred years of combined experience and we are prepared to lead the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office into 2015 and beyond.” Boyd added: “The men and women of the Department are among the finest deputies in the State of Indiana and we will support, train and prepare them for the difficult tasks ahead. While we have prioritized the key issues that we will address, one of the top priorities is to better partner with the citizens of La Porte County and the diverse communities in which they live.”