Priorities

Sheriff Derek Fell is committed to public safety, community engagement, and strengthening the systems that protect our residents. With over 23 years of dedicated service, he has implemented programs, developed processes, and led initiatives that make a tangible difference in Vigo County.

Why Sheriff Derek Fell Is the Right Choice for Vigo County

Sheriff Derek Fell has been serving Vigo County since 2002. That’s over two decades of continuous service — starting as a patrol deputy, moving into investigations, stepping into command, and today leading as Sheriff.

Alongside his real-world service, Sheriff Fell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology, giving him the academic training and professional grounding that no other candidate can offer. He has led through challenges and proven he has the training and judgment to keep Vigo County safe. This election isn’t about on-the-job training. It’s about keeping a proven Sheriff in place.

How does Sheriff Fell’s experience prepare him to continue leading Vigo County?

Sheriff Fell has built his career inside Vigo County, starting in the jail division, moving to patrol and later serving in investigations and command leadership. He’s responded to emergencies, worked complex cases, cold case homicides, and managed deputies in the throughout the Sheriff’s Office. That full spectrum of experience means he understands both the day-to-day demands on deputies and the big-picture responsibility of leading a law enforcement agency.

When Vigo County needed steady leadership, Fell was trusted to step in because of his education, his training, and his record of service. He didn’t earn that trust with slogans — he earned it by showing up, year after year, and doing the work.

How will Sheriff Fell continue efforts in reducing crime and keeping Vigo County families safe?

Public safety is the first duty of the Sheriff. Since taking office, Fell has continued cooperation with the Terre Haute Police, strengthened patrol coverage, and continues to direct resources toward crime prevention.

Looking forward, his approach is proactive — cut crime off before it takes root, keep criminals on the defensive, and make sure every family feels safe in their own neighborhood.

What is Sheriff Derek Fell’s plan for fighting drugs and addiction in Vigo County?

Drugs often drive much of the crime in Vigo County. Sheriff Fell has made drug enforcement a top priority. He believes in collaborating with state and federal task forces in these efforts. But enforcement isn’t the only answer. Fell knows that families struggling with addiction need a way out. That’s why he supports recovery programs alongside tough enforcement. Dealers and traffickers face zero tolerance, while people ready to get clean deserve a real chance to rebuild their lives. His mission: drive drugs out of Vigo County and give the next generation a safer future.

As a part of a collaborative effort, over one year ago Sheriff Fell began the process of researching programs to assist with better preparing those who are incarcerated for possible release. Through this collaborative effort, the Sheriff’s Office partnered with the health department and other county government entities (Prosecutor’s Office, Public Defenders, Community Corrections, and local Judges, among others) to establish the RISE program. This initiative focuses on preparing incarcerated individuals for successful reintegration into our community, with the ultimate objectives of providing treatment and reducing recidivism rates.

The Vigo County Health Department Social Services Division offers peer support services and programming within the Vigo County Jail as part of this program. Currently, the classes offered include Seeking Safety, Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), and The Change Program. These programs are designed to be goal-oriented and client-centered, helping participants modify their behavior while progressing through the stages of change, including precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.

Why Sheriff Derek Fell Is the Right Choice for Vigo County

What steps is Sheriff Fell taking to protect children and make Vigo County schools safer?

Parents shouldn’t have to wonder if their kids are safe at school. Sheriff Fell has been a steadfast supporter of our school protection program. He works with schools to strengthen communication and improve emergency readiness. He continues to look for avenues of additional training for school protection personnel. He has also implemented a program, focusing on school bus and school zone patrols.

How will Sheriff Fell keep the Sheriff’s Office open, transparent, and accountable?

Sheriff Fell has already increased communication with the public, but he believes more can be done. He believes

in relaying information to the community and holding personnel accountable throughout their daily duties. He supports publishing reports on crime trends and major initiatives so the public can see exactly how their Sheriff’s Office is performing.

He has a history of being involved in the community where citizens can ask direct questions. For Fell, transparency isn’t a slogan — it’s the way law enforcement stays accountable to the people it serves.

How will Sheriff Fell fund law enforcement improvements while keeping taxes low?

Sheriff Fell knows families work hard for their money. They deserve a Sheriff’s Office that keeps them safe without continuously raising taxes. That balance is possible through two commitments: researching and applying for grant funding and running the office efficiently.

Fell assisted in developing an internal Grant committee to research federal and state grants for deputies, equipment, and school safety. Programs like the COPS Hiring Program, Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, and the School Violence Prevention Program are designed to strengthen law enforcement without hitting local taxpayers. He will continue to pursue those resources aggressively.

Inside the office, Fell is focused on efficiency — streamlining operations and investing in training and technology that save money long-term. His bottom line: keep Vigo County safe and keep the Sheriff’s Office running efficiently.

What are Sheriff Derek Fell’s top priorities moving forward?

Reduce violent and property crime with smarter patrols and targeted enforcement, utilizing things such as a criminal activity task force which Fell implemented approximately 12 years ago as well as researching and focusing on high crime areas.
Keep schools and our children safe by continuing with a collaborative effort with the school corporation, as well as a targeted focus on training our school protection officers. Fell has also implemented additional focus based patrols on school bus routes and school zones.
Push back against drug trafficking while supporting recovery for those ready to change.
Increase transparency with public reporting and community engagement.
Support deputies with training, fair leadership, and modern equipment.
Secure outside funding so taxpayers don’t shoulder the full cost of public safety.
Strive for further and additional community engagement.
While a law-enforcement officers primary job is to keep our community safe and take criminals off the street, Fell has implemented programs for rehabilitation and will continue to look for ways to reduce Jail crowding and recidivism rates.

Why should Vigo County voters keep Sheriff Derek Fell in office?

Because he has already proven he can do the job. Fell isn’t running on promises — he’s running on results. He has worn the badge for over 23 years working in a variety of areas and divisions within the agency and understands the daily operations of the Sheriff’s Office. Fell holds a degree in Criminology and today serves as Sheriff, already protecting Vigo County serving alongside some of our finest.

What is Sheriff Fell’s policing approach and mindset?

Sheriff Fell is committed to a proactive policing approach and fosters this mindset among deputies to better serve and protect Vigo County. He practiced this mindset himself during his patrol and investigative years. Responding to calls is an important and necessary part of the job, but the job shouldn’t stop there. Whether it be traffic enforcement, warrant service, investigations, or extra patrols, he encourages deputies to be pro-active in their daily duties, thinking beyond initial contact. Sheriff Fell was the co-founder of the agency's criminal activity task force over 10 years ago and was the unit's first commander. For many years, this unit has focused on activities such as traffic violations, surveillance, school bus patrols, saturation patrols, warrant services, as well as child predator details, among others. All aim to reduce or prevent crime, catch predators, and most importantly keep our community and our children safe!