NORTH WEBSTER — “The Fresh Start for Kosciusko County.” That is the campaign slogan for Kyle Dukes, 41, Milford. Dukes officially announced his candidacy for the nomination of Kosciusko County Sheriff Tuesday evening before 100 guests at a campaign kick-off at The Owl’s Nest.

“I’ve been waiting to announce in front of a special group of people tonight. I am officially running for sheriff of Kosciusko County as a Republican,” announced Dukes.

Dukes is the first to announce his candidacy for the office of sheriff. Rumors are circulating five, upward of 10 persons, will be seeking the Republican nomination in May for that office.

Dukes was one of six candidates who sought the appointment to the position at a Republican caucus in June. After numerous ballots, the race became between Dukes and current Kosciusko County Sheriff Rocky Goshert.

“After the caucus, a couple weeks go by. I was 98 percent sure I was going to run for sheriff. I just couldn’t get to 100,” Dukes stated last evening. He noted talking to numerous people, receiving text messages, phone calls, emails and letters, all encouraging him to run. Dukes and his wife of 17 years, Mindy, talked at length about the possibility. One night sitting on the porch, his wife asked “Are you going to do this or not?” “Before I could answer she said ‘This county needs you, law enforcement needs you and we support you.’ Right then and there I knew.”

Kyle Dukes is shown with his family, his wife Mindy and their sons Keaton, 14 and Kane, 10.

Dukes was born and raised in Kendallville, and graduated from East Noble High School. He graduated from Ivy Tech State College with an associate degree in supervision. He was the first Ivy Tech graduate ever to receive an internship with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. He started out wanting to become a conservation officer. He also graduated from Tri State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He has been an Indiana State Police Trooper for 17 years.

He joined the Noble County Sheriff’s Department as a reserve deputy. “I had a very unique situation. My dad was sheriff. The sheriff’s department was home. We worked there, we practically lived there,” he stated. Dukes spent his spare time in dispatch listening to calls, washed cars with inmates, helped prepare the meals. He saw those in law enforcement, regardless of the color of uniform, as a team. “We had fun. I wanted to be a part of that.”

Dukes saw and even participated in his father’s political procedures, talked with him about the positive and negative things as sheriff and at the jail. “I saw it.”

During the evening Dukes spoke of his stand on a particular issues. “The last two years in this county with law enforcement has been very challenging to work in … we’ve got to move forward. We have to move forward. What I do know is that law enforcement still isn’t working together … .” Dukes has already taken initiatives to speak with police chiefs in the county. “My number one priority is to bring all law enforcement together in a working relationship to make Kosciusko County a better and safer place to live for you and your kids and it is that simple.”

Kyle Dukes is shown with his campaign manager Dr. Jennifer Lucht, former principal at Warsaw Community High School and former superintendent at Argos School Corporation.

He noted he wants to bring all departments together, share information and host monthly chief meetings talking about positive and negative things. Noting a recent meeting with police chiefs that lasted two hours, “I heard them loud and clear, they want to be a team. They want to join forces, work together.”

Other points made during the evening are to have one centralized drug task force, the importance of community policing, to bring professionals into the jail to help stop the cycle of repeat drug arrests, to work with prosecutors and judges to send a clear message to drug dealers. “We need to be proactive instead of reactive.” The need to have officers in schools for students to know officers in a positive way, as well as a full time public information officer to inform the public of what is happening and protection of senior citizens were noted.

“This is the most important election Kosciusko County has ever had,” Dukes stated.

Individuals can learn more about Dukes by visiting his website, www.dukesforsheriff.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.