Porter County Sheriff's Department

Sheriff David E. Lain

Welcome to the Porter County Sheriff’s Office website. We are happy to give you an insider’s view of our operation. If you are not familiar with the many facets of our duties and services I think you will have a better understanding of the scope of our responsibilities after browsing this site.

You may also enjoy getting to know our employees and their areas of expertise. We could not be more proud of the level of professionalism that they bring to public safety in Porter County. Every job here is demanding and we believe each person has equal value to the way the Sheriff’s Office is run.

We want this site to be interactive and useful to you. If you have a question about any issue that concerns our office, please feel free to contact us. Likewise, if you have an idea that could improve our website or if you would like us to provide a new service to the community we encourage you to let us know about it. Our product is service. We are constantly looking for ways to improve, and we value your input.

I have strived throughout my career as a police officer to form a bond with the community I serve. This website is only a small illustration of that goal. If you have a clear view as to what we are trying to accomplish, if you get to know us on a more personal level, if we can “demystify” what goes on inside our (your) building, then I am convinced you will find a greater comfort level when dealing with the Porter County Sheriff’s Office.

Thank you for visiting and most of all, thanks for your continued support!

 Your Sheriff,

      David E. Lain

A Few of Sheriff Lain's Police Collectables
The following photos are from the personal collection of Sheriff Lain.

Information on these items or others can be obtained by contacting him at : dlain@porterco-ps.org

My office and an old jail cell contain the bulk of my personal collection of police badges and artifacts. I am always looking for items that show the changes to the tools of our profession. I hope you enjoy this virtual tour.

Some of the Sheriff's Collection along with Memorabilia Donated to the Sheriff's Department can be viewed in the Sheriff's Department Main Lobby

This 19^th century jail cell had been a fixture in a Valpo eatery (The Court Restaurant) for many years. The owner donated it to the Sheriff’s Department in 2005. Inmate workers reconstructed it, and it now is on display in our lobby.

In 1934, John Dillinger was being held at the Lake County, Indiana jail. The Sheriff of Porter County (Neil Frey) loaned the Thompson shown here to the Lake Co. Sheriff.  When Dillinger escaped, he took this gun with him. Firearms researcher Gordon Herigstad located the weapon at FBI headquarters in 2000, and they returned it to us in 2001.  It is owned by the Sheriff’s Department and is not part of my personal collection. It is on display in the Sheriff’s Department lobby from 8:00 - 4:00 Monday through Friday.