Leadership Team

                                                  Leadership Team

Community Programs

Community Programs

D.A.R.E.

For over 25 years, the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office has been actively involved with the Drug Abuse Resistance Program (D.A.R.E. - Drug Abuse Resistance Education).  The collaborative effort with the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation has achieved a high level of success.

Sgt. Whipker began his career with the Sheriff’s Office as a Merit Deputy in 2015. Prior to his service with BCSO, Whipker served as a Probation Officer with the Greenwood, IN Probation Department. He is a graduate of Columbus East High School and holds a Criminal Justice degree from IUPUI and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from IUPUC. He has been a D.A.R.E. Instructor since 2018.

Deputy Medina began his career with the Sheriff’s Office as a Merit Deputy in 2022. He completed the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy as an honor graduate & has over 10 years of experience working with youth and young adults in a variety of different capacities. He became a DARE officer in 2023.

Deputy Burkholder began his career with the Sheriff’s Office as a Merit Deputy in 2022. Prior to his service with BCSO, Burkholder served as a 911 Dispatcher for the Bartholomew County Emergency Operations Center and a Corrections Officer. Deputy Burkholder is a graduate of Columbus North High School, and holds a Criminal Justice degree from Ivy Tech Community College. 

Sheriff's Youth Academy

The Sheriff’s Youth Academy was started in 2015, under Sheriff Matt Myers. This academy was designed by law enforcement professionals, to provide children with a real understanding of the law enforcement experience. The Youth Academy provides Bartholomew County’s youth with a unique opportunity to focus on strengthening their life skills of self-respect, respect of others, teamwork and commitment to achieving their goals. This program also strengthens the bond between our youth and law enforcement.

Pack a Patrol Car

Pack a Patrol Car was started in 2015, under Sheriff Matt Myers as a way for the agency to better serve the community. In the Fall, members of the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office collect canned goods by "packing a patrol car" full and donating them to local food banks.

Merit - Specialized Units

Merit - Specialized Units

Accident Investigations

The Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office has a crash reconstruction team consisting of three deputies trained by the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM). Our team currently uses state-of-the-art Trimble equipment, making our department stand out with advanced technology for scene documentation.

Field Training Officers

The Field Training Officer Program (FTO) is designed to provide on-the-job training for all new deputies. Even deputies with experience from another department are required to complete the FTO program. The program offers training on all aspects of law enforcement, some that may be unique to Bartholomew County. The program is comprised of three phases that build upon each other. Not everyone is qualified to become an FTO, deputies that have a good foundation and have demonstrated a mastery of skills and knowledge of the job, coupled with the ability to mentor and teach are chosen for this extremely important role at our agency. Our agency currently has five certified Field Training Officers.

Honor Guard

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard is comprised of a select number of uniformed officers from different divisions within the agency. These uniformed officers are a reflection of the agency and represent the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office at police funerals, public events, and memorial services throughout the state of Indiana. 

K9

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office has utilized police dogs for over 30 years. The Sheriff’s Office first canine team was Pete Ivy and a German Shepherd named Heiko. Since then, there have been nine K-9 teams at the department. Currently the department has 2 canine teams. The K-9 unit plays a vital role in keeping our community safe. Our K-9’s are dual purpose police dogs and are trained in narcotics detection, building search, article/evidence recovery, handler protection and apprehension. 

Negotiators

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Negotiation Team consists of 2 deputies, who assist the Columbus Police Department. These deputies have undergone specialized training in communication with subjects in stressed induced situations. A negotiators main goal is to bring about a non-violent ending to a crisis situation. A negotiator is often asked to intervene in suicide attempts, barricaded subjects, domestic violence incidents as well as hostage situations. These members maintain 24/7 responsibility for the team while fulfilling their full time duties within the Sheriff’s Office.

Drone Unit

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team consists of (7) deputies. The Drone Unit has a variety of public safety missions, including locating missing people, locating suspects avoiding apprehension, photographing collision and crimes scenes with an aerial view, and other various public safety goals.

SWAT

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office joined forces with the Columbus Police Department to form a joint Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) in 2016. There are currently six members of the department dedicated to SWAT. The SWAT team operators train multiple times per month in areas including high risk warrant execution, hostage rescue, barricaded subjects, and open area searches. The SWAT team also has officers specially trained in breaching, chemical/less than lethal tactics, and Sniper applications.

DIVE and Water Rescue

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office formed a dive and water rescue team in 1992. The deputies assigned to this unit are on call 24/7. There are currently 12 deputies assigned to the unit with three of them being assigned as divers. The BCSO Water Rescue/Dive Unit utilizes inflatable boats, air boats and other specialized equipment.

School Resource Officer (SRO)

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Program has a long-standing relationship with the Bartholomew Counsolidated School Corporation (BCSC) and Flat Rock- Hawcreek School Corporation. Beginning in 2019, a deputy from the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office has been assigned to each of the school districts as their full time assignment to meet the needs of the students, staff and visitors. These deputies handle a multitude of different functions within the school to provide a safe learning environment for the students and teachers and bridge the gap between law enforcement and our youth.

Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET)

The Joint Narcotic’s Enforcement Team (JNET) was established in 2015 as a way to unite local efforts to aggressively pursue drug dealers in our community. JNET is made up of undercover officers from the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Police Department and a Bartholomew County Deputy Prosecutor. Additionally, the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office has taken one step further to aggressively pursue those trafficking narcotics into Bartholomew County with the assignment of a deputy to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Intelligence Led Policing (ILP)

Intelligence Led Policing (ILP) is a transition from traditional policing methods to improving public safety, reducing crime and making the best use of resources by centralizing all intelligence information, analyzing the intelligence and providing actionable direction for law enforcement activities. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office joined forces with the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office by assigning a deputy to the ILP unit in 2019. Today, the relationship between the three agencies collaborating together has helped reduce crime in Bartholomew County.

Jail

Bartholomew County Jail

Visiting Hours - Visiting hours are assigned by the cell that the inmate is assigned to. These can change if the inmate is moved by their own request or for other reasons. Additionally, visitors can schedule a visitation through HomeWav and come to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday or Sunday on from 0700-2200 hours for visitation hours.

Bonds - Cash bonds are accepted at the Clerk’s Office Monday – Friday between the hours of 8 AM – 5 PM. After 5pm bonds are paid at the jail. We accept cash and credit card bonds at the jail.

To find out if someone is in jail, please call: 812-379-1750 option #2

Property - Property is no longer accepted. All clothing and inmate footwear can be purchased off of commissary.

 Jail Management Staff 

	Tim Burdine, Captain - Corrections Division Tim Burdine is a graduate of Columbus North High School and Indiana University, where he received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology. Captain Burdine began his law enforcement career with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office in 2008 as a Corrections Officer. Since that time, Captain Burdine has served the Corrections Division as a: Field Training Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. In his position of Deputy Jail Commander of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Captain Burdine oversees scheduling, personnel, manpower, staff recruitment/retention, and the day-to-day operations of the Corrections Division. Captain Burdine is also the Commander for the Emergency Response Team. Captain Burdine resides in Bartholomew County with his wife and their four children.
	Courtney Fisher, Lt. - Corrections Division Courtney Fisher is a graduate from Columbus East High School. She has been employed with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division since 2013. Since that time, Lieutenant Fisher has served the Corrections Division as a Field Training Officer, Field Training Coordinator, Jail Investigator, Sergeant, and now Lieutenant. In her position as Lieutenant of Corrections of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Lieutenant Fisher oversees the daily operations of jail. Lieutenant Fisher resides in Bartholomew County with her husband.
	James Greenlee, Lt. - Corrections Division James Greenlee is a graduate of Columbus North High School and Trine University. He is a United States Army veteran, having served tours in Afghanistan. Lieutenant Greenlee has been employed with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office for over a decade, and has served the Corrections Division as a Corrections Officer, Classification Officer, and Shift Sergeant. He is also a certified instructor in a number of areas, including Defensive Tactics and Firearms. In his position as Lieutenant, James Greenlee is responsible for second and third shift jail operations. Lieutenant Greenlee resides in Bartholomew County with his wife, Emily, and their five children.

Courthouse Security

Courthouse Security

The Bartholomew County Courthouse has a team of dedicated officers that are assigned to each of the three major courtrooms, conduct security checks at the front entrance, patrols the courthouse halls and other law enforcement functions. These officers fall under the Correctional Officers section of our department, but are their own separate entity.

Sheriff Sale

Sheriff Sale 

SRI is now conducting the Bartholomew County Sheriff Sales.

For Sheriff Sale Information, please click on the SRI Link.

Each Bartholomew County Sheriff Sale is held at 543 Second Street, Columbus, Indiana on the first Tuesday of each month at 1000 am unless posted otherwise on the SRI Link.

               CLICK HERE TO VIEW CURRENT SHERIFF SALE INFORMATION

Letter To Citizens

Dear Citizens,

A number of you have recently reached out with questions and concerns regarding the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office policies, procedures, and training. We appreciate and understand your concerns. In an effort to respond quickly, we are providing the following information, which addresses the questions and concerns raised.  

• The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office conducts a very structured hiring process beginning with a written test administered and graded by a third party company, a physical fitness test, a command staff interview, Merit Board interview and interview with the Sheriff. Applicants are also subject to a very detailed background investigation on every Deputy prior to hiring. This includes a psychological and polygraph examination. Those tests cover any history of illegal activity including abuse, racism, and discrimination.

• The Indiana Law Enforcement Academy conducts the initial training for most Bartholomew County Deputies. They receive 15 weeks of intensive law enforcement training that includes the use of de-escalation and advanced communication skills. After successful completion of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Deputies complete our department’s Field Officer Training program. This 16-week training allows them to use the skills they learned at the academy while being monitored by our field-training officers. It is during this time that our department evaluates those communication and conflict resolution skills. We place a great deal of emphasis on the utilization of these skills. Verbal commands and officer presence are the first measure used to gain control of a situation.

• The use of excessive force is never an option that would be acceptable. Our Deputies are prohibited from using excessive force. Deputies are trained to use the minimal amount of force necessary to resolve the situation. The amount of force necessary, but never beyond that level. Once compliance is gained, the use of force is no longer authorized.

• Chokeholds of any type are considered a use of deadly force and would only be acceptable when deadly force was justified. We do not train Deputies in the use of any type of chokehold.

• As a part of their regular continued professional training, Deputies receive instruction on de-escalation techniques during use of force encounters.

• Our policy mandates that the only time that a Deputy may shoot at a moving vehicle is when deadly force is justified.

• Verbal commands are encouraged when applicable and we continually train on their use in all situations where force becomes necessary. The Deputy must report any use of force immediately to his/her supervisor. The Deputy then completes a Use of Force report that is reviewed by his or her supervisor, the applicable Psycho Motor Skills instructor, the patrol captain and the chief deputy. These reports allow us to determine if the use of force was objectively reasonable and to monitor the number of times our officers use force to control a situation.

• The State of Indiana mandates that law enforcement officers receive at least 24 hours of training each year. At the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, our Deputies average 112 hours of training per year. Since 2015 we have trained annually in cultural diversity, use of force, and how we respond to calls with a higher risk for use of force. Several of our Deputies have attended Leadership Bartholomew County and Diversity Circle hosted by IUPUC.  Below I have listed the training that we have received since January 1^st of 2015.  We also receive numerous other trainings annually but these are the ones that relate to current national events.

• Police One Academy – Cultural Awareness and Diversity Overview
• Police One Academy – Anti-Bias for Law Enforcement
• Police One Academy – Responding to People with Mental Illness
• Civil Unrest
• Police One Academy – Ethics in Law Enforcement
• Verbal Judo
• Gracie Survival Tactics
• Use of Force Policy Review
• Responding to Veterans in Crisis
• Understanding and Responding to Excited Delirium
• Indiana State Police Course – Cultural Diversity
• Reasonableness in Use of Force

Chris Lane

Chris Lane, Sheriff

Bartholomew County, Indiana

News

Forms

Jail FAQ

What are visiting hours for inmates?

Saturday and Sunday on HomeWav from 0700-2200 hours

What do family members need to visit?

Have account with HomeWav and schedule a visit online with inmates. They will visit in the lobby of the jail on the mobile HomeWav stations. Each station is assigned to a particular person. 4 stations total.

What are the restrictions? i.e. age, time limits, etc..

30 minute visits. Seg must be during inmate hour out. No age limit for visitation, however the account holder must be at least 18 years of age

How do families send money to inmates?

For food – Use accesscorrections.com; use the cask kiosk in the lobby of the department or call 866-345-1884

For writing letters or sending mail - Use accesscorrections.com; use the cask kiosk in the lobby of the department or call 866-345-8664

For phone calls – Create a HomeWav account and upload funds using a credit or debit card

What is accepted at the jail for inmates and where does a family member take it?

Trial clothing, prescription medication/glasses/contacts, wedding rings and religious necklaces. These may be dropped on in the front lobby. If it is not accepted how does an inmate get these items? Inmates may purchase items on commissary.

Trial clothing?

Accepted upon approval from a member of leadership team. Placed within the property room with inmate’s name.

Family pictures?

We do not accept these items. Families will have to utilize the Earth Class Mail instructions/policy to send in photos. The inmates can view these digitally utilizing the HomeWav kiosk within the blocks.

Books?

Books are not accepted. The jail provides a library of books, which the inmates get the opportunity of receiving weekly. Books get donated to the jail by the public library and other approved donors.

Where do family members send letters, pictures, cards/drawings from their children? Families can send mail by addressing it using the below example:

Facility Name (Bartholomew County Jail)

Inmate Name – Inmate System ID Number

PO Box 1042 PMB #39193

San Antonio, TX 78294-1042

Restrictions to what can be sent? Earth class mail will not accept the following:

Books

Magazines

Catalogs

Advertising Mailers

Junk Mail

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