2026 Primary: Owen County Sheriff
Sam Hobbs – R
How will your experience serve you in this position? Why are you the best candidate?
I want to thank God for His love, mercy and grace made new for all every day and for God providing the opportunity to run for Sheriff again. I am a man of faith, integrity and perseverance. I have a heart for my community. I successfully served Owen County as sheriff for two consecutive terms – 2015 through 2022.
I am the best candidate for this position because I am a Sheriff for the people, the badge worn represents the people, not my personal accomplishments.
The Sheriff's Office worked hand in hand with the community at the Crime Watch programs at Cunot Cataract and Coal City during my terms. The Crime Watch programs provided much needed information to the sheriff's office as the people are the eyes and ears of the community. The volume of drug related arrests, prosecutions and convictions were at an all time high during my terms. We utilized K-9 officers and their dogs on all three work shifts; they were a vital part of drug detections during traffic stops. We maintained a zero tolerance for sex offenders to be out of compliance. It was paramount to me that all officers, including myself, were accessible to the community and visible on all roads throughout our county during my terms.
What issues do you hope to address and how?
We are going to re-energize the crime watch programs at Cunot Cataract and Coal City by attending the monthly meetings and renewing the programs that have been abandoned. We will bring all sex offenders into compliance by mandating the sex offender officer maintain compliance daily. We will install a drug task force that will oversee narcotic buys. The drug task force, in hand with the K-9 program, will equip us with the ability to search and find the drugs as well as hold those accountable for the dealing and distribution of drugs. Working with programs such as the DART program, we want to establish a solid foundation to help those with addictions and mental illness. Also relying on and working with recovery services such as the Hamilton Center, Centerstone, the Indiana Dream Team and former Dottie's House to bring continuing recovery.
What else should the public and voters know?
I am a community involved Sheriff, working with and for the community. I am easily accessible and visible. Being a part of the community to me is more than traffic stops and citations. I believe in a personal touch, listening and responding to those that reach out to me. I look forward to being a part of the chili dinner during trick-or-treating, visiting with each of you and working together with you. I much enjoyed working with the sheriff's office to bring Christmas to those in need. Being a sheriff is more than wearing a badge, it means community involvement. I am thankful for the support I had from the community during my first two terms as Sheriff. I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I seek this office again. Thank you for your support at the May 5 primary voting. God's blessings to you and your families.
Ryan T. White – R
How will your experience serve you in this position? Why are you the best candidate?
My 29 years of experience has provided me with the opportunity to have my hand in every aspect of law enforcement. There is nothing that I have not seen or done regarding this job. I am the best candidate for this job because of my experience and that I am the only candidate that is a certified police officer. Today's law enforcement is complex, and it will take knowledgeable leadership to navigate today's challenges that our deputies face. I am also the only candidate that has completed the FBI leadership academy. This provides me with the tools necessary to lead my team and complete our tasks.
What issues do you hope to address and how?
One issue that we consistently face is the public's lack of knowledge of how law enforcement operates. This is no fault of their own but rather television has misled the public about what really transpires in this job. I plan to establish a "Citizens Police Academy," where we can educate the public about all the aspects of law enforcement. This program will include dispatch, police, jail, prosecution, probation and the courts. I believe that this informational program will provide a better understanding of today's legal processes and better community relations.
What else should the public and voters know?
The primary responsibility of the sheriff's office is to respond to emergencies and enforce criminal law. Some have said that I am not out in public much. I want the citizens to know that I am using my job experience and knowledge to assist my agency with investigations. I am doing the job for which they elected me to do, which is to respond to emergencies and enforce criminal law. Everything else is secondary and will always take a back seat to serve the public when tragedy strikes or they are victimized. I will not serve in this position as only a figurehead; I will actively work to serve the public in the best law enforcement service possible.
My name is Ryan White; I grew up in Owen County and graduated from Owen Valley High School. After graduation, I attended Indiana Wesleyan University where I continued my education and athletic activities. In 1997, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as a Military Police Officer. In 2001, I was accepted into the Indiana State Police where I served the citizens of Indiana for 21 years. In 2023, I took office as your Owen County Sheriff where I have proudly served the citizens of this great community where I grew up.
