Since the time he was an eager fourth grader, John T. Boyd knew that he wanted to be involved in law enforcement. Having grown up in the area, Boyd has always felt a strong sense of devotion to his community and the people within it.
“I’ve always wanted to be involved in law enforcement – ever since I can remember,” Sheriff Boyd laughed. “I am very honored to have been elected as Sheriff of LaPorte County. It is truly humbling to be chosen by the people I have sworn to serve and protect.”
Throughout his journey, Boyd always knew that becoming the Sheriff of LaPorte County would be his destination. After high school, he went on to study criminology at Purdue University before returning to LaPorte County in 1988 when he was hired by the LaPorte Police Department as a Patrolman. A couple of years later, Boyd was given the opportunity to work with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department when Sheriff Kenneth Layton hired him in. During his twenty-five year career with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, he has been fortunate and has had many opportunities that helped him move through the ranks at the Sheriff’s office. He has had the opportunity to serve as Patrolman, Patrol Shift Supervisor, and Chief of Detectives.
One of his proudest times was serving as a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) instructor in local schools. In this position, he was able to work with thousands of the area’s children at LeMans Academy, LaCrosse, New Prairie, South Central, Wanatah and Westville schools. Having been certified to teach students from Kindergarten through the twelfth grade about the adverse effects of drugs, gangs and violence, this was a perfect fit for him and something that he felt very passionately about.
“I love working with the children in our communities here in LaPorte County,” Sheriff Boyd said. “I have been very humbled by the opportunity to work with and teach the kids of LaPorte County, and through my opportunities have many wonderful friends throughout the county today.”
Sheriff Boyd has many ideas and plans that he wishes to implement during his term, but there is one thing above all others that Boyd hopes to accomplish. After working with kids in the county, Boyd wants nothing more than to make the county a safer place for its citizens, especially the children.
“Having worked with the DARE and GREAT programs, and being a parent myself, I know how important it is to keep our children safe,” Sheriff Boyd said. “It’s not like when I was younger and there was a little more freedom for kids to just take off to go play somewhere else. Now, we need constant vigilance over our children to ensure their basic safety. It’s unfortunate, and something I want to begin to help fix.”
In his twenty-five years in law enforcement, Sheriff Boyd had received many awards and honors, including: Officer of the Year, LaPorte Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, the Chicago Police Department Joint Operations Award, and the American Legion 3rd District of Indiana Police Office of the Year Award.
In his spare time, Sheriff Boyd enjoys spending time with his family and taking his son fishing – something that was in short supply during his campaign. He and his wife love attending their children’s sports and school activities, and always make sure they have family dinners together with their two children.