Sheriff Riggenbach seeking re-election

VW independent/submitted information

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach has filed nominating petitions as a Republican candidate for re-election as sheriff in the upcoming March 2016 primary. He is currently serving his first term in office as sheriff.

Riggenbach, 44, is a native of Van Wert County and a 1989 graduate of Van Wert High School.  Riggenbach graduated in 1991 from Lima Technical College (now Rhodes State College), with an associate’s degree in law enforcement technology. He is the son of Stan and Nancy (Goedde) Riggenbach.

Riggenbach began his law enforcement career in 1991 when he received his Basic Peace Officer Certification and joined the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary. Riggenbach’s full time career with the Sheriff’s Office began in March of 1995. During Riggenbach’s career he has served as a deputy sheriff, K-9 handler, sergeant/shift supervisor, and chief deputy of corrections, and for the last three years has served as sheriff.

As sheriff, Riggenbach has exceeded the 16 hours of continuing education training required each year.  Some of the training Riggenbach has received include: “Emerging Trends in Law Enforcement”, “Below 100”, “Leadership Perspectives,” “Risk Management”, “Bulletproof Leadership”, “Operation: Street Smart”, “Judgmental Firearms Simulator”, “Judgmental Driving Simulator”, “Ohio’s 2015 Conference on Opiates and other Drugs”, and “Crisis Management for School-Based Incidents for Key Decision Makers”.

In 2015, Riggenbach was one of more than 30 people in the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association (BSSA to receive the CLEM (Certified Law Enforcement Manager) award. This award is given each year to members of the BSSA who attend a suitable number of training sessions and meetings, fulfill prescribed standards of performance and conduct, and have demonstrated a high level of competence and ethical fitness for law enforcement management.

Riggenbach said his office is committed to providing professional law enforcement services to residents in a courteous, caring, common sense manner, and that an attitude of service to the public is essential in providing these services.

Riggenbach also noted that, as sheriff, responsible management of taxpayer dollars, being available for Van Wert County residents to speak to him, aggressively combating the drug problem and drug traffickers, regularly monitoring registered sex offenders, and consistently being involved with the community’s youths through DARE and other activities are several of his priorities.

Riggenbach is a member of the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, where he serves on multiple committees, and is a member of the National Sheriff’s Association. He serves on the Van Wert County Crime Victim Services Board, Crisis Care Line/House of Transition Board, Tri-County Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board, Van Wert County 9-1-1 Board, and is an advisor to the Van Wert County Crime Stoppers Board.

Riggenbach also helps coach junior high football, youth football, and youth basketball.

He and his wife, Heather, reside in Tully Township with their three children: Mackenzie, Tyler, and Noah.  The family attends Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert.