Fourteen new reserve deputies were added to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office on Sept.22. Deputy Bryant Orem said from an initial class of 20 recruits, the 14 new officers spent Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as every other weekend since the beginning of January to complete the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Academy.

“The almost 600-hour academy, taught by certified instructors from the sheriff’s office, is equivalent to the curriculum full-time officers complete at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield,” he stated. “The new deputies still must complete more than 500 hours in field training under the supervision of a merit deputy before being released to work solo.”

Graduating were Shelli Bailey, Nicholas Bowyer, Glen Goldberg, Matthew Grose, Anthony Guzman, Patrick Heitz, Justin Hubbard, William Jennings, Brandon Kreisher, Blaine Mallaber, Anthony Slack, Andrew Tharp, Jeremiah Wilck and Mark Wilson.

Orem stated the members of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division are non-paid individuals who are dedicated to supporting and assisting the sheriff’s office and the citizens of the county. The Reserve Division provides relief for the merit deputies when necessary by augmenting manpower when there is a shortage as well as supporting programs initiated by Sheriff Mark Bowen. Orem said although they are only required to serve 24 hours each month, many Hamilton County Reserve Deputies volunteer more than 1,000 hours each year.

“The graduation ceremony was especially poignant in light of the recent line of duty death of Officer Rod Bradway of IMPD,” he stated. “Reserve deputies put themselves in the same danger as full-time officers but receive no monetary compensation for their service.”