Lt. Ralph G. Levi has announced his candidacy for Porter County Sheriff.

Levi, a Republican and a resident of Chesterton, is a 33-year veteran of the Porter County Sheriff’s Police, having held supervisory rank for 28 of those years.

“Career accomplishments include three years of undercover narcotics work, supervisor of the entire Patrol Division, and a direct supervisor for Records and Civil Bureau,” according to a statement released on Sunday. “He worked in the Detective Bureau, was involved in the creation of the 911 Center, supervisor of the Sheriff’s dispatch center, and a shift supervisor at various times for all three work shifts, including four years on midnights, during which time his crew showed more activity and had fewer sick days than any other crew.”

Levi “was cited for special appointment as a U.S. Deputy Marshall while supervisor of the Bomb and Arson Squad,” the statement said. “While supervisor of the Civil Bureau, Lt. Levi directed the return of over 1,000 warrants to the various courts in Porter County because they had no identifying information other than a name and some had been in the files for 15 years or more and were impossible to serve. These actions changed the warrant procedure.”

In addition, Levi “has written and applied for state and federal grants for various projects and equipment, saving the county thousands of dollars,” the statement said. “Three sheriffs requested Lt. Levi write or update policy and procedure manuals for the entire department, which he completed. He was also the very first recipient of the department’s Merit Award for Life Saving due to his actions during a railroad accident.”

Levi is a graduate of Worsham College in Chicago, holds a degree in mortuary science, and was deputy coroner for Porter County for three years prior to joining the PCSP. He has been a licensed embalmer for 37 years and is a member of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association.

Past president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 165 and a member of the Indiana Sheriff’s Association, Levi has been involved in many organizations, including Chesterton Moose Lodge 1635 and Chesterton American Legion Post 170. He is a life member of the National Rifle Association and the North American Hunting Club and North American Fishing Club and a member of Ducks Unlimited.

Levi is married and has two daughters, three grandchildren, and two stepsons.

Posted 2/1/2010