WARSAW — “I don’t take great joy in this because this came at a heavy price for a lot of people and it’s done a lot of damage to several families and this community. That is a hurt to me,” stated the new Kosciusko County Sheriff William “Rocky” Goshert. “I won, but it was at a heavy cost. That hurts.”

Austin Rovenstine, left, central committee secretary, prepares the paperwork for William “Rocky” Goshert to sign following the caucus and Goshert’s election as sheriff.

Goshert was elected Wednesday evening, June 21, to fill the remaining term of former sheriff C. Aaron Rovenstine at a Republican Caucus. It took five rounds, narrowing the field from six down to two, before Goshert was declared the winner with the majority votes. A total of 65 precinct committeemen, including five vice precinct committeemen who cast proxy votes in stead of the precinct chairman, were present to vote. Only four precincts were not represented.

The historic courtroom was at capacity. Following the seating of precinct committeemen, family members of the candidates and media, approximately 30 members of the public, a majority of whom were employees/officers with the sheriff’s department, were allowed to enter. A few were left standing outside the closed doors, which were later opened to allow air to circulate.

Goshert stated to the media while this election was very nice, Rovenstine and the Rovenstine family are very good friend of his and the win was with heavy heart. “We’re going to work hard and work hand in hand,” he stated. “We’re going to have to talk with Warsaw, sit down and we’ll talk,” Goshert added. “We’ve already talked (sheriff’s deputies) when Aaron turned it over to me. We are going to work with other agencies we cross paths with. You may be with the sheriff’s department, but you work for the people of this county.”

Rebecca Kubacki, precinct committeewoman from Turkey Creek, right, is checked off the list by Joni Truex, designated vote tallier, after a ballot discrepancy in the third round of voting

Goshert noted Rovenstine had asked him to run to fill the vacancy and a number of the staff with the sheriff’s department came in and talked with him. They told him, “we really want you to run. We trust you, we respect you, we know that we can get on down the road with you.” Those same individuals garnered signatures showing support for Goshert, however, Goshert made it clear no one was to be pressured, it was an individual preference, there was no fall back and he has not seen the signatures. “I didn’t want to know. I didn’t want any one to think that had any bearing. It was their choice if they wanted to do it.”

The new sheriff also stated “ultimately the voters need to determine the sheriff.” Using his left and right hand to indicate where the department is at this moment and where it needs to go, he stated “whoever is sheriff, the people of this county elects … that’s the main goal.” Referring to his five opponents, he stated “those are good guys,” and indicated the voters should see those names and a few more for the May 2018 primary. Referring to the sheriff’s school, which he has attended twice, the election will give the newly elected sheriff an opportunity to attend that school before taking over.

Goshert did state he does not know at this point who his deputy chief will be. “We will sit down and determine as a department who we believe best fits that.” Noting he may not run in the primary, his deputy chief may need to be someone who could run in that primary. “It’s important for them to be captain to learn that before going to sheriff’s school.”

Related: Goshert Elected New Sheriff