Jasper Names New Police Chief

As of January 6, 2025, Jasper will have a new Police Chief. The appointment of Indiana State Police veteran Chad Dick, made by Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide, follows the retirement of current Chief Nathan Schmitt. Assistant Chief Aaron Persohn will continue to helm the department until Dick is sworn into his new position.

Dick’s vast experience in law enforcement was gained over his 25 years as an Indiana State Trooper, where he honed skills in law enforcement operations, community relations, and effective leadership. He has served as a supervisor with the ISP and Compliance Specialist with the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board. Dick held the position of Lieutenant at Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, where he was responsible for strategic planning, personnel management, and advanced training. His extensive career has provided experience with modern policing strategies and emerging technologies, which he will bring to his new role.

A resident of Dubois County, Dick has long been involved with the community that he intends to serve. He attended Vincennes University and Indiana State University before he began his career in 1995 as a trooper. From 2005 to 2007, he served as the Vehicle Enforcement Officer for the Jasper District. In 2007, he was promoted to Sergeant and served as the Public Information Officer and Recruiter for the Jasper Post before being named Squad Leader in 2013. In his long career with the Indiana State Police, Dick was a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Tactical Intervention Platoon, and was a Field Training Officer and Firearms Instructor. Dick’s professional experience, along with his ties to the local community, make him uniquely qualified for his appointment as the new Chief of the Jasper Police Department.

For more information on these and other updates, visit jasperindiana.gov or JasperGov-Indiana on Facebook.

- By Drew Hasselbring