Shelby County sheriff to step down at end of February

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Shelby County sheriff will step down at the end of February, and the local Republican Party will hold a caucus to choose his replacement.

Sheriff Louie Koch (R) told county councilors during their Feb. 17 meeting that his last day on the job will be Saturday, Feb. 28.

Koch was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. His current term was set to expire at the end of 2026. Sheriffs in Indiana are term-limited and cannot serve more than two consecutive four-year terms.

The sheriff did not provide an exact reason for his departure, but at the end of January, he filed to run as a Republican candidate for Shelby County Council District 1.

In a Facebook post, the Shelby County Republican Party announced it would hold a caucus on Thursday, March 5, to “fill a vacancy in the position of Shelby County Sheriff.” The new sheriff selected on March 5 will serve out the remainder of Koch’s term and can run for a full four-year term.

Anyone interested in the role must meet candidacy criteria and file a CEB-5 with Republican Party Chair Chris King at least 72 hours before the caucus. Questions can be directed to Cking@shelbycounty.gop.