Mrs. Smokey Anderson

Former Tippecanoe County Sheriff Smokey Anderson, who completed the remainder of Murtaugh's term in 2002 and was later elected, said Murtaugh is deserving of the honor.
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"I think he will be excellent for the post," Anderson said.

About two years ago, former Sheriff Smokey Anderson began tracking foreign nationals booked into the Tippecanoe County Jail.

But Tippecanoe County Sheriff Smokey Anderson remains convinced that without law enforcement's intervention, Browell would be dead.

If Officer Dunscomb called for Sheriff Smokey Anderson to shoot Fonske, because Dunscomb couldn't control him, then it wasn't senseless.

We should be sending condolences to Officer Dunscomb, not criticism.Fonske wasn't just his partner; he was also a companion in his home.We should also be thanking Sheriff Anderson for preventing further injury to Dunscomb and for having a good eye.

Tippecanoe County Sheriff Smokey Anderson is retiring from law enforcement but will be staying with the sheriff's department as a civilian employee.
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Anderson ready to give up badge
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When Smokey Anderson applied for a spot on the Randolph Township Volunteer Fire Department three years ago, fire chief Keith Barker was somewhat astounded.
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After all, Anderson was not even halfway through his first term as Tippecanoe County sheriff -- a position that has him managing 45 sworn officers, a full staff of 150 and a 553-bed jail that's filled to near-capacity every night.
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Anderson, 51, is assisting his chief deputy and sheriff-elect Tracy Brown in the transition.
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"I hate to leave such a good organization," Anderson said of his only full-time job since graduating from Ball State University in 1977."I'm surrounded by very good, dedicated and hardworking employees."

The southern Tippecanoe County resident, who has lived in the area since age 8, was hired by the sheriff's department in October 1977.He interned there the prior year.

Anderson spent nine months as appointed sheriff in 2002 after Dave Murtaugh resigned to become a U.S. marshal for the Northern District of Indiana.
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"I have over 29 years on, and law enforcement is a very demanding position," Anderson said of his decision to retire.
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John Dennis, deputy chief of the Lafayette Police Department, remembers patrolling the streets with Anderson in the early 1980s, when Dennis was a rookie.
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Anderson set the bar for younger officers, Dennis said.
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Smokey bridged that gap."

The two men have been professional colleagues and friends for years, running several marathons together.
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"I realized it was Sheriff Anderson.
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Anderson was a past commander of the dive team.
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Anderson considers the millions of dollars brought into the county by housing Department of Corrections inmates at the jail another accomplishment over the years.

Though he admits it has increased his staff's workload, the added funds mean less burden on taxpayers.

As Anderson prepares for his next phase in life, he said he's already adjusting to what will likely be frustration when he can't run on a call as a civilian employee.

"I've seen some horrifically sad things that pull at the heartstrings.If you don't shed a tear, something is wrong with you," Anderson said.
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I am honored to have known you and your precious Mrs. Anderson.
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Still, Sheriff Smokey Anderson questioned whether reporting a complaint to CPS was required if the officer determined the complaint was unsubstantiated.

"I think we classified all of those as unfounded," Anderson said.

While Sheriff Smokey Anderson said his department has not pulled in the same number of candidates as in years past, those who do get hired are well qualified.

Some of the department's most recent hires include deputies with previous law enforcement experience, meaning they'll be patrolling alone sooner.

"If you have quality, the numbers are not a problem," Anderson said, noting that the current force of 47 is just one short of full-strength.Another deputy will be added next year.

Tippecanoe County Sheriff Smokey Anderson is retiring from law enforcement -- but staying with the sheriff's department as a civilian employee.He started his law enforcement career there in 1977 after graduating from Ball State University.Smokey chose not to run for a second consecutive term, instead backing his chief deputy, sheriff-elect Tracy Brown.