Longtime deputy Tim Lampert files for Dubois County sheriff

Tim Lampert, a 57-year-old Jasper resident and 35-year veteran of the Dubois County Sheriff’s Department, filed his candidacy for Dubois County sheriff on the Republican ticket on January 12, 2026. Lampert brings decades of department experience, a record of grant procurement and training credentials that he says he will use to expand resources for the county if elected.

Lampert began his career in 1990 as a jail officer, was promoted to road deputy in 1994, and was appointed Chief Deputy in 2011. He served eight years as Chief Deputy and currently serves as a School Resource Officer. His professional certifications include certified general instructor and firearms instructor credentials, ALICE active-shooter instructor training, and teaching credentials through Indiana’s Workplace Specialist Program.

During his tenure as Chief Deputy, Lampert secured grants to provide equipment and manpower for public safety initiatives. He has highlighted local partnerships with JRAC, the Dubois County Community Foundation and CARES as sources that have brought funding to address substance abuse and mental health needs. As a candidate, Lampert emphasized pursuing state and federal grants to bring additional resources into the county and expressed a desire to pair enforcement with programming aimed at reducing recidivism through addiction and mental health services.

The sheriff’s office is an elected post that will shape how law enforcement priorities are funded and carried out across the county. Lampert’s stated focus on grant-seeking could inject outside dollars into equipment, training and programs without relying solely on county tax levies. That approach also demands administrative capacity to apply for and manage grants and clear public reporting so residents can see how funds are used.

For local residents, the campaign signals continuity in leadership style from someone who rose through department ranks and who is positioned to continue school safety work while expanding public safety initiatives. Voters should expect debate this year about how best to balance enforcement with prevention and treatment, how grant dollars will be allocated, and what metrics will be used to measure reductions in recidivism and substance abuse.

Our two cents? Attend candidate forums and ask specific questions about proposed grants, oversight and measurable outcomes for addiction and mental health programs so taxpayers know what success will look like and how the sheriff’s office will be held accountable.