Starke County (IN)

About Starke County, IN

Starke County is located in Northwest Indiana along US-30 and US-35. Founded in 1850, the county seat and largest Town is Knox. Starke County Sheriff Office, Knox Police, North Judson Police, and Hamlet Police are all using the Project Hoosier SAFE-T radios along with EMT's by talking to one another. It is unclear on when the Fire Departments and EMS will fully switch over to the SAFE-T system.

Starke County Unit Numbers

• Starke County Sheriff 75-XX

   Sheriff- Oscar Cowen 75-1
   Chief Deputy- Robert Sims 75-2

• Knox Police 44-XX

   Chief of Police- Clint Norem 44-5

• Hamlet Police 9-XX

    Chief of Police- Jeremiah Patrick 9-01

• North Judson Police 8-XX

    Chief of Police- Douglas Vessely- 801

• Conservation Officer X-3

    Officer Keith Wilderman

• Coroner 75-79

    County Coroner Kris Rannells

Starke County Fire Departments

• Stations 1&2- Knox Center Township VFD

    Fire Chief- Ken Pfost

• North Judson Wayne Township VFD

    Fire Chief- Bill Crase

• Station 8- Hamlet VFD

    Fire Chief- Unknown

• Station 14- San Pierre VFD

    Fire Chief- Jerry Russell

• Station 12- Washington Township VFD

    Fire Chief- Stewart Short

• Station 7- Koontz Lake VFD

    Fire Chief- Randy Collins

• Bass Lake California Township VFD

    Fire Chief- Unknown

Starke County EMS

Headed by Interim Director Lisa Kaiser. This ambulance service is a BLS type ambulance. See bottom of page for EMS upgrade information.

• Medic 3 & 4- Main Base (Knox)

     Based at Main Street and Culver Road. Protects the central part of the county

• Medic 1- North Judson Base

     Based on Collins Avenue. Protects the south side of the county

• Medic 5- Groverton Base

     Based at IN 23 and US 30. Protects the north side of the county.

EMS Upgrade Information (will be updated as needed)

Considerations are being given to make ambulance service into a ALS ambulance service. A committee has been set up and have discussed having a Paramedic "chase" vehicles being available when needed. Still no decision has been made at this time. The next committee meeting will be March 16 at the Knox Fire Station, at this meeting protocols will be discussed.