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Road Patrol Division

Sheriff Landers has commissioned approximately 26 full-time deputies and K-9 Unit(s), providing 24/7 services to the county citizens and travelers passing through. Those commissioned include supervisors, plain clothed investigators, a D.A.R.E. Officer, courthouse security, and the Paulding County Dog Warden position which is an employee of the Commissioners, but managed by the Sheriff. Two deputies serve as School Resource Officers for Antwerp and Wayne Trace Local School Districts. Deputies also work in the jail and with 911 operations.

Sheriff Deputies’ duties include investigating traffic crashes, enforcing traffic laws, investigating crimes such as thefts, burglaries, domestic disputes, assaults, computer related crimes and homicides, just to name a few.

Deputies also assist our three courts by serving court papers such as subpoenas, summons, warrants and writs. The deputies follow law regulating their authority and jurisdiction as written in Ohio Revised Code 311 et al., much of which has remained unchanged since the early 1950’s.

It is the primary responsibility of the road patrol to focus on the rural and unincorporated villages and townships without full-time peace officers. With that said, deputy sheriffs have county-wide jurisdiction and do assist the various police departments upon request.

Deputies receive Continuing Professional Training (CPT) each year which is mandated by the Ohio Police Officer Training Commission (OPOTC). As situations involving law enforcement across the country transpire, the training requirements OPOTC sets tend to increase. In 2014 and 2015, all peace officers in the State of Ohio were required to have 4 hours of CPT. In 2016, the mandatory CPT requirement was 11 hours per officer in the State. In 2017, the CPT increased to 20 hours per peace officer. In 2022 and 2023, 24 hours of CPT was mandated.

The CPT could be a burden on each agency’s operating budget. However, there is a reimbursement system in place through OPOTC to offset some of the cost associated with the mandatory training. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office also maintains a website (eOPOTA) for law enforcement officers to access on-line training 24 hours a day at the officer’s own pace. This training is free and does meet the mandatory requirements set by OPOTC.

All law enforcement officers in the State of Ohio must also qualify with a firearm at least once per year. The qualification standard is set by OPOTC, and can only be instructed by a certified OPOTA instructor.

Click on a name to email a sergeant or deputy.

Road Patrol Sergeants

Road Patrol Sergeants are working supervisors who oversee the second and third shift deputies. The Sergeants are first line supervisors and report to the Chief Deputy. Sergeant duties are to assist the Chief Deputy in his management of the Road Patrol.

Investigative Detective

In 2017, Lt. Hanenkratt was assigned to investigations. He conducts investigations at the direction of both the Sheriff and Paulding County Prosecutor. Lt. Hanenkratt also assists the Prosecutor with felony diversion, fact gathering and trial preparation