Starke County Sheriff's Office

06/10/2026

🛺 Reminder! 2025 golf cart permits expire on Tuesday, 06/30/26! New stickers are available with a completed application & $25 fee...
**𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞 - 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 $𝟐𝟓 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝐬𝐭, 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 $𝟓𝟎!
The ordinance & application can be found on our website, or at the Starke County Justice Center! 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 & 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 24/7 𝒂𝒕 5435 𝑬. 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒅 8 𝒊𝒏 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒙!! 🛺

06/05/2026

An apparel fundraiser for La Porte County Sheriff's K-9 Officer Jon Samuelson was recently launched by his local K-9 training group, consisting of members from LCSO, LPPD, and MCPD.

The goal is to continue the fundraising efforts for Officer Samuelson, and all proceeds will go directly to him.

Please feel free to share on Facebook, as well as with your friends and family!

There are several options, including; T-Shirts, Hoodies, Ladies, and Youth sizes!

This fundraiser supports local K-9 Officer Jon Samuelson, who was injured in the line of duty. Presented by K-9 Officers with La Porte County Sheriff's Office, La Porte City Police Department and Michigan City Police Department, this store was created to show support for Jon and his family during hi...

05/29/2026

The Starke County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens about the importance of recognizing scam calls.

We are seeing an influx of calls where individuals are told they must make payments using accounts or cards such as Chime, Green Dot, PayPal, gift cards, or other electronic payment methods.

Please remember: the Sheriff’s Office will never contact you by phone and demand payment for any reason, including incarcerated individuals, warrants, s*x offender registry matters, or any other law enforcement issue.

Never provide personal or financial information over the phone. Scammers often identify themselves as law enforcement officers in an attempt to gain trust.

These scammers may monitor inmate rosters, search public warrant information, and review the s*x offender registry to make their calls appear legitimate.

Again, the Starke County Sheriff’s Office will never accept payment over the phone or request payment through gift cards, prepaid cards, or electronic payment apps.

If you receive a suspected scam call, please report it to the Starke County Sheriff’s Office at 574-772-3771, option 2 for dispatch.

05/28/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On Thursday, May 28, 2026, at approximately 4:35 a.m., deputies with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office responded to the intersection of U.S. 35 and State Road 8 regarding a two vehicle crash involving injuries.

Upon arrival, emergency responders located a light blue 2008 Ford Ta**us resting against a red 2024 Jeep Compass, which had come to rest against a guardrail on the south side of State Road 8.

Preliminary investigation by the Starke County Sheriff’s Office indicates the red 2024 Jeep Compass, driven by a 27-year-old male from Knox, Indiana, was traveling westbound on County Road 100 North and attempting to cross U.S. 35 onto State Road 8. The Jeep entered the path of the light blue 2008 Ford Ta**us, driven by a 21-year-old female from Warsaw, Indiana, which was traveling southbound on U.S. 35 at highway speeds when the collision occurred.

A front-seat passenger in the Ta**us, identified as a 19-year-old female from Plymouth, Indiana, was airlifted to a South Bend hospital with head and leg injuries sustained in the crash. Two rear seat passengers a 19-year-old female from Knox, Indiana, and a 20-year-old male from Plymouth, Indiana both complained of back pain and were transported to Northwest Health–Starke Emergency Department for treatment.

The driver of the Ta**us was also airlifted to a South Bend hospital due to a head injury sustained in the collision.

The driver of the Jeep declined medical treatment at the scene but later sought medical attention due to pain.

It is unknown at this time whether seatbelts were being worn by those involved in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation by the Starke County Sheriff’s Office.

Assisting agencies included the Knox Police Department, Knox Fire Department, Starke County EMS, Lutheran Air, Samaritan Air, and T&T Towing.

Sheriff Jack Rosa
Starke County Sheriff’s Office

05/22/2026

The Starke County Sheriff’s Office and all of its employees stand shoulder to shoulder with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, offering our prayers and support to Deputy Jon Samuelson and his family.

This tragedy hits close to home for every law enforcement officer, every community, and every family. Deputy Samuelson remains in our thoughts, prayers, and hearts during this difficult time.

05/22/2026

Please keep Deputy Jon Samuelson, his family, friends, and everyone at the La Porte County Sheriff's Office in your prayers!

This morning, Deputy Samuelson was shot 3 times during an incident at Michigan City’s Franciscan Health hospital.

05/19/2026

Today marks a significant turning point in how we approach rehabilitation and community integration within our facility. For years, the F.A.R.M program has served as a cornerstone of our efforts to provide individuals with purpose, discipline, and a connection to the land. However, as our mission evolves, so must our vision.
It is our privilege to announce that we are officially transitioning the F.A.R.M. program into the Starke County G.R.O.V.E.
By renaming this initiative, we are refining our focus. The G.R.O.V.E. now stands for Gaining Recovery through Orchard Vocation and Education. This transition represents a shift toward a more specialized, sustainable, and rehabilitative model for those in our care.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆.𝐑.𝐎.𝐕.𝐄
A grove is a cultivated environment where growth is intentional. It requires patience, steady hands, and a long-term commitment to the future. That is exactly what we are providing here.
• Gaining Recovery: We recognize that true rehabilitation involves healing. Working within an orchard setting provides a therapeutic environment where individuals can find the mental and emotional clarity necessary for a successful recovery process.
• Orchard Vocation: We are moving beyond general labor to specialized skills. Managing an orchard—understanding pruning, soil health, and seasonal cycles—offers a unique and marketable vocation that can translate into stable, long-term employment.
• Education: Knowledge is the primary tool for change. Through the G.R.O.V.E., we are implementing a structured curriculum that teaches the science of agriculture and the logistics of production, ensuring that participants leave with more than just experience—they leave with an education.

𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬
While the core foundation of programing is remaining the same (classroom groups), the garden and woodshop was always meant to be secondary and will be changing. The soil in our current garden area was often difficult to maintain. The woodshop has always been great but a huge liability on the department and county. With being a smaller facility, we have return offenders going through the program over the years and have already learned the skills the garden and woodshop teach and are always looking for new ideas to keep the participants engaged.
• Crop more suitable for sandy soil
• Less money spent on employee overtime
• Manageable with low inmate population
• New educational skills

𝐀 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲
As we transition to the Starke County G.R.O.V.E., our commitment to the citizens of this county remains our top priority. The success of this program isn't just measured by the health of the trees, but by the health of our community. We look forward to the day when the literal fruits of this labor support local initiatives and the figurative fruits—transformed lives—contribute to a safer, stronger Starke County.

05/15/2026

As National Police Week comes to a close, we want to take a moment to recognize the men and women who put on the badge each day and serve their communities with courage, professionalism, and heart.

This week is not only about honoring those currently serving, but also remembering the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their dedication and bravery will never be forgotten.

Thank you to all law enforcement officers past and present for the sacrifices you and your families make every day. Your service matters and your commitment to protecting others does not go unnoticed.

Please continue to keep our fallen heroes, and the officers still serving today, in your thoughts not just this week, but year round.

05/08/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash Investigation

On Thursday, May 7, 2026, at approximately 9:58 p.m., deputies with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office, along with personnel from the Knox Fire Department, Bass Lake Fire Department, and Starke County EMS, responded to the area of Toto Road and County Road 300 East regarding a single-vehicle crash involving a vehicle that had left the roadway and struck a
tree.

Upon arrival, emergency responders located a red 2008 Saturn Vue off the north side of the roadway, resting against a tree. Preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle was traveling
westbound on Toto Road when it left the roadway, traveled through a field north of the road, and ultimately struck the tree where it came to rest.

Deputies located one unresponsive male occupant inside the vehicle. Life-saving measures were attempted by deputies and Starke County EMS personnel; however, the driver was pronounced
deceased at the scene.

The driver has been identified as John P. Bochnicka Jr., 56, of Knox, Indiana. The Starke County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and is assisting with the investigation.

The crash remains under investigation by the Starke County Sheriff’s Office.

Assisting Agencies:
• Starke County Sheriff’s Office
• Knox Fire Department
• Bass Lake Fire Department
• Starke County EMS
• Starke County Coroner’s Office

Sheriff Jack Rosa