History

The Decatur County Sheriff’s Department has proudly served the citizens of Decatur County, Indiana, since the county’s formation in 1822. For more than two centuries, the Sheriff’s Department has evolved from a small frontier law enforcement agency into a modern, professional organization dedicated to protecting life and property, enforcing the law, operating the county jail, and serving the courts while maintaining the trust of the community.

Early Beginnings (1822–1859)

When Decatur County was organized in 1822, one of the county’s earliest priorities was establishing a local jail to house offenders awaiting trial or serving short sentences.

On February 11, 1823, the Decatur County Board of Commissioners ordered construction of the county’s first jail. Located on the west side of the courthouse square in Greensburg, the structure was built quickly to meet the needs of the growing community. Unfortunately, it was poorly constructed, and historical records note that Hiram Hendricks became its first inmate.

By 1832, county officials determined that the original jail had become inadequate. The sheriff was authorized to sell the usable materials from the first jail, and a replacement facility was completed in October 1832, providing improved security for the expanding county.

As Decatur County continued to grow, officials recognized that additional improvements were necessary. On June 15, 1859, the Board of Commissioners voted to relocate the jail from the courthouse square. The Sheriff and County Auditor were directed to purchase a new site along the north side of West Main Street, approximately one-half block from the courthouse.

The courthouse jail was removed in September 1859, and the new facility served the county for the next two decades.

Growth Through the Late 19th Century

Population growth and changing correctional standards once again created the need for a larger, more modern jail. On May 20, 1880, the Board of Commissioners awarded a contract for construction of another new jail facility.

This 1880 jail became a fixture of Decatur County government for nearly a century. Throughout its service, the building underwent numerous renovations and improvements as the Sheriff’s Department adapted to changing law enforcement practices and increasing responsibilities.

Modernization (1979–2005)

By the late 1970s, the 1880 jail could no longer meet modern correctional standards or the needs of the county.

In 1979, the Decatur County Board of Commissioners authorized construction of a new jail at 119 East Railroad Street in Greensburg. The facility represented a significant investment in public safety, providing improved inmate housing, enhanced security, and expanded space for Sheriff’s Department operations.

As technology and public safety demands continued to evolve, another major milestone occurred in 2005. The Board of Commissioners purchased the former Washington School building on South Ireland Street to serve as the county annex. The facility brought together several essential public safety functions under one roof, including:

• The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office
• Decatur County Communications (911 Dispatch)
• Modern male and female work release facilities

This consolidation improved efficiency, communication, and coordination between emergency services while providing updated space for both staff and inmates.

Expansion into the 21st Century (2020)

As Decatur County continued to grow and the demands on public safety services increased, county officials recognized the need for a modern facility capable of housing both law enforcement and detention operations under one roof. Construction plans began in 2018 on a new Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center complex designed to meet current correctional standards while providing room for future growth.

Completed in early 2020, the new facility is located at 601 South Ireland Street, Greensburg, Indiana 47240. The approximately 57,000-square-foot complex brought together the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department and the Decatur County Detention Center into a single state-of-the-art public safety campus. The facility includes modern inmate housing units, administrative offices, training and meeting spaces, secure booking and intake areas, inmate programming areas, and enhanced security systems designed to improve both operational efficiency and public safety.

In March 2020, inmates were transferred from the former jail facility on East Railroad Street to the new Detention Center, marking the beginning of a new era for corrections and law enforcement in Decatur County. The new complex replaced the county’s aging jail infrastructure and provided a modern environment better suited to the needs of inmates, staff, and the community.

Today, the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department and Decatur County Detention Center operate from 601 South Ireland Street, continuing a tradition of service that began more than 200 years ago. From the first county jail built in 1823 to the modern justice complex of today, the department has consistently adapted to meet the changing needs of Decatur County while remaining committed to its mission of protecting and serving the community.