Lt. Earl Wigfall has spent more than 30 years in law enforcement, 25 of them inside the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department.
“I do not need to learn this job. I have lived it, he said.” That is his pitch to Tuesday’s Democratic primary voters.
Redress South Bend spoke with Wigfall by phone this week. The conversation below has been edited for length and clarity.
Q.) For voters who may not know you personally, who is Earl Wigfall, and why are you running for St. Joseph County Sheriff?
A.) Earl Wigfall is a resident of South Bend, Indiana. I grew up here. I went to Harrison School, then Dickinson when it first opened, then LaSalle High School. I met my wife in college and have been married to her for 40 years.
I’m an Air Force veteran. I started my police career in Indianapolis, as a Police Officer with Indianapolis Public Schools where I held the rank of Sergeant. I returned to South Bend along with my wife and three sons in 2001, to care for my mother, who was ill at the time.
I initially worked in the jail as required, then to the Patrol Division. Shortly after being on patrol, I was promoted to the Detective Bureau, then to Sergeant. Sheriff Redman promoted me to be the Training Commander, where I annually trained over 300 officers.
People do not realize we have multiple Divisions within the Sheriff’s Department such as the Jail, Courthouse, Transportation, Detective Bureau, Warrants, Civil, and Records Division to name a few. The jail holds inmates within the various cities and townships in St. Joseph County, with South Bend having the largest population. The Sheriff’s Department is a hidden gem, people may not realize how much we impact them and the community.
Q.) Scott Ruszkowski is running on his record as the South Bend Police Department’s Chief of Police. In your view, in general, does a municipal Chief of Police have the experience required to run the Sheriff’s office efficiently from Day 1?
A.) No, they do not. Mishawaka nor South Bend Police, have a Jail, Juvenile Center, Courthouse or Civil Division to run. The Sheriff’s Department also collects unpaid taxes, if businesses do not pay, the Sheriff’s Department shuts the business down until it’s paid. We process the paperwork that comes from the courts, including the subpoenas. If you are not knowledgeable coming into the Department you are behind in the game.
To break it down, if I left the Sheriff’s Department and went to South Bend Police, they would not just hand me keys and give me a car saying, “Okay, Earl, you’ve been a police officer for 30 years, you are good to go.” I would have to go through a training process. So, no matter where you move to, even if you are the chief, several officers will have to guide and train you.
Q.) Trust in law enforcement has been tested by officer use-of-force incidents, jail deaths, internal affairs dismissals, and concerns about transparency. What would be different about the culture of the sheriff’s office under the Wigfall administration?
A.) What would be different with me is total transparency. If we have an ongoing internal investigation, I would let the public know we have started an investigation. At the close of it, I would report the outcome, as well as keep them aware of the process. If the department had to suspend or terminate an employee that would be public record. If an employee is clear of wrongdoing, we would share this as well. The community has a right to know because we work for them. There is no secrecy when you are building trust.
Q.) One of the clearest differences between a police chief and a sheriff is the jail. If the jail is understaffed, that affects officer safety, inmates, and the public. What would you do as Sheriff to fix staffing and reduce turnover?
A.) I would start with building morale by hiring and promoting within the department. We will continue the Law Enforcement Program with South Bend Community School Corporation and hire them in the jail at the age of 18, after successful completion of the program and background check. Working in the jail will give them training and experience on how to talk, deescalate a situation and deal with people who have mental health, drug, and/or recidivism issues. Once they turn 21, they can either continue as a Correction Officer or become Police Officers for St. Joseph County. Some of our graduates were recruited and hired by other local Police Departments.
I would also talk with the Veterans Administration regarding our military veterans who were honorably discharged for employment.
Q.) This race gives voters a choice between two law enforcement leaders. What is the clearest contrast between yourself and Chief Ruszkowski on accountability, transparency, and community trust?
A.) St Joseph County deserves leadership that is ready on day one. Leadership that does not need time to figure things out, but is prepared to move forward immediately with clarity, confidence, and purpose. When elected, I will continue building a sheriff’s office that prioritizes professional training, officer wellness, and community trust. I will ensure that our department remains focused on its core mission, protecting the people of this county while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability. This campaign is not about politics. It’s about service. It is about making sure that the sheriff’s office remains an institution the public can rely on, and one that the men and women who serve within it are proud to be a part of. Every decision made by a sheriff carries weight. It affects not just the officers wearing the badge, but the families they go home too, and the community they serve. That is something I take seriously. When you vote for me, you are choosing leadership, rooted in experience, guided by accountability, and committed to doing this job the right way.
I was disappointed to receive news that the Democratic debate for sheriff was canceled due to Scott declining. If he would have agreed to the debate. The public would have heard answers to their questions from both candidates.
Q.) For any undecided voters heading into Tuesday’s Democratic Primary, why should they vote for Lt. Earl Wigfall?
A.) I am an honest person who cares for my community and believes in the moto “Serve and Protect.” I am currently working with agencies in the community like Oaklawn, Epworth, and REAL Services to see how we can best service the residents of St. Joseph County. I want to start monthly Coffee with the Sheriff to hear their concerns and continue to build trust. Everyone deserves the right to be treated fairly and with respect, even if they are incarcerated. We will continue to work on reducing recidivism by referring inmates to programs and services in the community to help them become productive citizens of St. Joseph County. Enforcing the law is our job, but to have somebody who wants to work alongside you to help and strengthen the community is important and contributes to St. Joseph County being safer.
When I meet people at their lowest point, or people I have arrested, and I see them later in life thanking me, that is my endorsement. Vote Lt. Earl Wigfall for St. Joseph County Sheriff.
Redress South Bend thanks Lt. Wigfall for taking the time to speak with us.
Logan Foster
Logan Foster is the founder and editor of Redress South Bend, an independent news outlet covering local government, courts, and public institutions in South Bend and St. Joseph County, Indiana. He reports from primary documents: public records requests, court filings, state audit reports, and campaign finance disclosures. His reporting has examined city and school district payments made without competitive bidding, school board spending, and the records of candidates in county races. Redress South Bend obtained the South Bend Police Department's ShotSpotter coverage map after the department initially denied public access. The outlet is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Online News Association. Reach him at info@redresssouthbend.com
