Riggenbach seeks GOP nod for sheriff

Van Wert independent

Tom Riggenbach, 40, a Harrison Township resident and Van Wert County native, announced Thursday his candidacy for the Republican nomination for the office of Van Wert County sheriff. Riggenbach, who began his career with the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department, has served for over 16 years in various capacities.

He became a member of the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Auxiliary as a special deputy before being hired full time in 1995 as a deputy sheriff. During his time as a deputy in the patrol division with the Van Wert County Sheriff‘s Office, Riggenbach was assigned to the K-9 Division and was a K-9 handler for seven years. He was promoted in 1999 to the rank of sergeant, where he worked as a shift sergeant and supervised personnel assigned to his shift. In 2005, Riggenbach was promoted to chief deputy of corrections, the position he currently holds. In that post, he oversees the day-to-day operation and manages the 23 employees of the Van Wert County Correctional Facility.

During his years of service with the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department, Chief Deputy Riggenbach has received training in a number of different areas. Some of the training he has received are in community oriented policing, emergency response to a criminal/terrorist incident, search and seizure, search warrants, narcotic detection, interview and interrogation, first line supervision, first responder to active shooters, field training officer, clandestine laboratory investigations, basic evidence collection, civil process, crisis intervention training, domestic violence stalking and protection orders, administering the small jail, ICS (Incident Command System)-100, ICS for single resources and initial action incidents, Intermediate ICS for expanding incidents, Advanced ICS command and general staff-complex incidents, protective investigations and intelligence for public officials, identity theft, and ethics and professionalism.

Chief Deputy Riggenbach also serves on the Tri-County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board, Van Wert Crime Victim Services Board, and the Crisis Care/House of Transition Board.

Riggenbach is a 1989 graduate of Van Wert High School and attended Lima Technical College, now Rhodes State College. In 1991, he graduated with an associate’s degree in law enforcement technology and received his Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy certification.

He is the oldest son of Stan and Nancy Riggenbach of Waterville and is married to the former Heather Potter. The couple has three children: Mackenzie, Tyler and Noah.

Riggenbach is a member of Calvary Evangelical Church, Elks Lodge 1197, and Van Wert Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 62.