Indiana State Police Maj. Jerry Williams declared victory Tuesday night in the Lake County Sheriff’s race after defeating five other candidates in the Democratic primary.
Williams, a 33-year law enforcement veteran and longtime administrator with the Indiana State Police, thanked Lake County voters and said his campaign focused on bringing a new direction to the Sheriff’s Office.
“I’m grateful to the voters of Lake County who heard our message and called for a new direction for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office,” Williams said in a statement released Wednesday. “We have a lot of work to do between now and the General Election, but, if we win, we’ll do a deep dive on all processes in the office and make some much needed changes.”
Williams said if elected in November, he plans to begin a thorough audit of the Lake County Jail Commissary Fund, create a public portal for the fund’s activities, and establish an advisory board to oversee the fund. He also said he wants to improve financial and administrative operations at the jail, including hiring and retention practices.
Another proposal outlined by Williams includes forming a committee made up of community members to help develop what he described as a more holistic approach to improving the Sheriff’s Department.
Williams began campaigning in early 2024 and said his campaign centered on restoring confidence and focusing on core values within the Sheriff’s Office, which he said has faced negative attention in recent years.
During his career with the Indiana State Police, Williams said he managed more than $400 million in taxpayer-funded assets and operations. He also oversaw the ISP Lowell Post, one of the largest state police posts in Indiana, serving urban, suburban, and rural communities across the region.
Williams additionally worked under retired Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter and spent approximately 18 months assisting the Gary Police Department with operational improvements, including serving six months as Interim Police Chief. Carter endorsed Williams on an interview with WJOB earlier this month.
If elected in November, Williams would become the first African-American elected as Lake County Sheriff.
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