TIPTON — Tipton County Sheriff Frank Fritch’s name has become a common sight on election ballots during the last three decades.
He will step down after five terms in office, which started in 1982, he said Wednesday. He said he plans to retire from law enforcement and spend more time with his family.
“I’ve spent over half my life here,” he said. “I’ve got 32 years of service in.”
Tipton County elected Fritch as sheriff in 1982, ’86, ’94, ’98 and 2006. Indiana law limits sheriffs to serving two consecutive terms.
Fritch, a Democrat, originally intended to step down before the 2006 election. But when Democratic sheriff candidate Matt Thompson died in a vehicle accident during his campaign, Fritch stepped back into the race.
Three candidates applied Wednesday, the first day to do so, to run for sheriff in the May 4 primary election.
The applicants included:
• Democrat Harley “Butch” Groover, a captain for the Tipton County Sheriff’s Department.
• Democrat Matthew Tebbe, a deputy for the sheriff’s department.
• Republican John Moses, a sergeant for the Tipton Police Department.
Groover, who has worked in law enforcement for 33 years, changed to a Democrat after he ran as a Republican in 2006.
He doesn’t plan to make any drastic changes to the department if he is elected, he said. His top priorities would be hiring a full-time detective and improving the county’s domestic violence prevention program.
Moses, who has worked in law enforcement for 24 years, said he plans to keep his platform similar to the one he used when he ran for sheriff in ’06.
“I wanted to [run] a second time. It was so close the first time,” he said.
His first goal would be to update the sheriff’s department’s technology if he is elected.
Tebbe did not return a voicemail message left at his office Wednesday afternoon.
Fritch said he does not plan to publicly endorse any of the candidates.
• Daniel Human is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He can be reached at 765-454-8570 or at daniel.human@kokomotribune.com.
Local News
Tipton sheriff not seeking re-election
Fritch announces he will retire after completing his fifth term.
- Local News
-
-
Students kick off Black History Month at IU Kokomo
“Hey, black child, be what you can be. Learn what you can learn. Do what you can do. And tomorrow, your nation will be what you want it to be.”
-
Council taking heat for proposal
The Miami County Council on Thursday got to hear from county employees who are disgruntled about proposed budget cuts that would reduce the county general fund by nearly $900,000.
-
County looks at health care options
With the city of Kokomo ending its relationship with Novia Health Care, Howard County officials are now discussing what move they will make.
-
KHS to implement new technology program
Starting next school year, the more than 500 freshmen enrolled at Kokomo High School will receive either a laptop computer or tablet device as part of a new technology program that school officials say will improve learning in the classroom.
-
Measles patient was at NFL event
East Coast fans who left the Super Bowl host city feeling good about Hoosier hospitality may have been exposed to something less welcome: The measles.
-
Outreach provides housing to the down-and-out
Dale Bliss tells the story of a man with no money, no job and two kids.
Without any way to pay for a hotel or rent an apartment, the man was living in a tent with his children at a reservoir near Kokomo. He told them it was a family camping trip.
-
Green tech lab opens in Kokomo
A California green technology company has opened a research and development lab in Kokomo and plans to hire as many as 35 people over the next few years, the business announced this week.
-
Main Street conference coming to Kokomo
Following up on its Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Community of the Year award, Kokomo received another accolade this week.
-
Howard Co. jail reconfiguration a ‘short-term solution’
With the ever-increasing number of female prisoners at the Howard County jail, local officials are looking to implement a short-term solution instead of expanding the existing facility.
-
Delphi retirees continue fight for pensions
A group of then-Delphi Corp. retirees saw a long road ahead of them when they banded in 2009 to keep hold of their full pensions and benefits.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
