During the Monday, July 22, 2024, Police Merit Commission meeting, Mayor Rod Roberson swore in six (6) new Elkhart Police Officers. This is the largest number of officers sworn in at a Police Merit Commission meeting since COVID. The hiring of these officers brings the department’s staff to one hundred and twenty (124) of the budgeted one hundred and forty-three (143).
-Patrolman Mitchell Garrett (#525) of South Bend, IN, graduated from Jimtown High School. He comes to us from C & E Construction.
-Patrolman Zachary Villani-Raymond (#526) of Elkhart, IN, graduated from Noblesville High School (IN) and has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Olivet Nazarene University. He comes to us from Forest River, Elkhart.
-Patrolman Rey Lozano Heredia (#527) of La Porte, IN, graduated from Borger High School (Borger, TX) and served as a Specialist in the United States Army (served 2019-2022). He comes to us from the Indiana Department of Corrections.
-Patrolman Randy Allen, Jr. (#528) of New Paris, IN, graduated from Fairfield High School (Goshen, IN). He comes to us from Forest River, Goshen.
-Patrolman Joshua Gorball (#529) of Elkhart, IN, graduated from Concord High School. He also graduated from Grand Valley State with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He comes to us from Discount Tire, Wyoming, MI.
-Patrolman Nicholas Lewallen (#530) of Goshen, IN, graduated from Goshen High School. He comes to us from Lippert, Nappanee.
In a special touch, Ptl J. Gorball (#529) received his badge from his uncle and current EPD officer, Cpl J. Gorball (#363).
Congratulations gentlemen, and welcome to the EPD officer family!
Pictured l to r: Mayor Rod Roberson; Ptl. M. Garrett; Ptl. Villani-Raymond; Ptl. Rey Heredia; Ptl. R. Allen, Jr.; Ptl. J. Gorball; and Ptl. N. Lewallen; and Chief Dan Milanese
