KOSCIUSKO — Kosciusko County Sheriff Kyle Dukes is pleased to announce the following promotions:

Rick Shepherd — Tippecanoe Valley School Resource Officer

Deputy Shepherd began his career with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office in 2002. Deputy Shepherd has performed the duties of jail officer, patrol deputy, patrol supervisor and communications director. Deputy Shepherd is currently a crash reconstructionist with the Kosciusko County Fatal Team. Deputy Shepherd was also a firefighter with the Winona Lake Fire Department.

Tom Waikel — Detective

Deputy Waikel became an officer with the Milford Police Department in 2001. Deputy Waikel joined the Syracuse Police Department in 2005 and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office in 2012. Deputy Waikel is currently a member of SWAT and the previous coordinator of the field training officer program.

Neil Likens — Detective

Deputy Likens began his career with the Syracuse Police Department in 2011, before joining the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office in 2014. Deputy Likens was a field training officer, responsible for several probationary deputies. Deputy Likens has served on the North Webster Fire Department as a firefighter/EMT.

James Marshall — Detective

A combat veteran of the United States Army, Deputy Marshall was hired by the Milford Police Department in 2002. Deputy Marshall became a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputy in 2007. Deputy Marshall is currently a SWAT Team Leader and firearms instructor.

Chris Francis — Public Information Officer

Deputy Francis was hired as a Kosciusko County Work Release Officer in 2004 and transferred to the Kosciusko County Jail in 2005. Francis was promoted to Merit Deputy in 2007 and served on the dive team for several years. Deputy Francis is a firefighter/EMT with the North Webster Fire Department.