Paul M.
Kruse
Sheriff
Warrick County
I have been a lifelong resident of Warrick County. My wife Stacey and I have been married for over 21 years and we have four sons. We chose to raise our sons in Elberfeld, where I grew up. We are active members in St. Clement Catholic Parish in Boonville.
I am a 1999 graduate of Tecumseh High School. In 2002, I graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy’s 152nd session. In 2015 I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Oakland City University.
I have spent my life serving my community. I joined the Elberfeld Volunteer Fire Department as a cadet in 1994. Since that time, I have served as a firefighter and EMT and was later elected by the membership to the positions of Lieutenant and Secretary-Treasurer. Though less active now, I continue to serve as a volunteer firefighter.
While still in high school, I began training as a 911 dispatcher for Warrick County Central Dispatch and worked part-time through my senior year. Shortly after graduation, I was hired by Sheriff Bruce Hargrave as a full-time dispatcher, later transitioning to a civilian security position at the newly opened Warrick County Judicial Center. I was sworn in as a Patrolman for Boonville Police Department in April 2002. During this time I served for four years as part-time Marshal for the Town of Elberfeld. In 2005 I was given the opportunity to return to the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office and was sworn-in under Sheriff Marvin Heilman. I have held the positions of Deputy, Detective, and Sergeant. I had the opportunity to work under my father, Sheriff Brett Kruse, and when Sheriff Michael Wilder was elected, he appointed me as his Chief Deputy.
As Chief Deputy, I have seen firsthand the work and thought that goes into making the Sheriff’s Office run efficiently and effectively every day. I have assisted the Sheriff throughout a period of tremendous growth and change. The Sheriff’s Office has added many deputies during this time, as well as the ongoing jail building project. I work with the Sheriff to develop and oversee the annual budgets, policies and procedures, as well as maintaining relationships with agency partners and the community.
It is my goal to continue the tradition of excellence for the Sheriff’s Office and to grow upon the successes of the past. I have a vision of the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office continuing to be the most professional and well equipped law enforcement agency in
this county. I will lead with the honesty and integrity that the citizens of Warrick County deserve, and will be a good steward of the resources entrusted to me.