Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker announces the promotion and appointment of two veteran deputies to top administrative staff positions. Randy Linkous has been appointed as Chief Deputy of the Darke County Sheriff’s Office. Shawn Trissel has been appointed to Captain of the Road Patrol Division.
Randy Linkous has been employed at the Darke County Sheriff’s Office since 1994 starting as a Corrections Officer in the jail. Chief Deputy Linkous was assigned to the road patrol as a deputy and eventually became a sergeant on the road. In 2012 he was promoted to Captain of the Road Patrol and commanded all road deputies, detectives, court services and security. Chief Deputy Randy Linkous is an original member of the Darke County Special Response Team and has commanded this team for many years. He is a firearms instructor that has trained many members of the Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement officers in the county. As Chief Deputy of the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, Randy Linkous will be second in command and administers the office alongside and at the direction of the Sheriff.
Shawn Trissel has been employed at the Darke County Sheriff’s Office since 1994 starting as a dispatcher. Captain Trissel went to Basic Peace Officer Academy in 1995 and upon graduation was assigned to road patrol duty. Captain Trissel has served in several areas of road patrol including detective and is an original member of the Special Response Team. He is also a firearms and training instructor for the Sheriff’s Office and has trained many deputies and law enforcement officers over the years. In 2002 Shawn was promoted to sergeant and has supervised road patrol, special response team operations, court security and court services. As the new Captain of the Road Patrol he will command that division and administer road patrol operations.
Sheriff Whittaker has appointed and retained Captain David Hawes as Jail Administrator who has commanded that division since 2019. Also appointed and retained is Melissa Hawes as 911 Coordinator and Communications Supervisor who has commanded the communications division since 2012.
Each member of the administration of your Darke County Sheriff’s Office has 20-30 years of law enforcement experience and extensive leadership. This will provide for the continuity of professional service with integrity and accountability that Darke County citizens have been accustomed to from their Sheriff’s Office. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to these administrators, they are ready to serve.