Journey to Becoming a Cop's Cop
Dan Downing is a dedicated law enforcement professional currently serving as the Captain for the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. A proud graduate of Monrovia High School, he has deep roots in the community he serves. Dan has been married to his wife, Michele, for many years, and together they have raised five children. The couple is also blessed with eight grandchildren, all residing in Morgan County, further solidifying their commitment to their community.
Dan's journey in law enforcement began in 1991 when he took his first steps as a jail officer with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. His eagerness to advance in his career led him to become a Deputy Town Marshal before he returned to the Sheriff’s Office in 1997 as a Merit Deputy. Over the course of twenty-eight years, Dan has worn many hats within the agency, demonstrating versatility and commitment through various roles. His positions have included Enforcement Deputy, Training Officer, Crime Scene Investigator, Honor Guard Commander, Detective, Detective Sergeant, Chief of Investigations, Major Crimes Task Force member, and ultimately, Enforcement Captain.
In addition to his extensive experience with the Sheriff’s Office, Dan served with the Morgan County SWAT team for twenty-two years, where he ultimately retired as the team commander. His distinguished service as a commander is highlighted by remarkable bravery that earned him a Medal of Valor. In a harrowing thirty-one-hour hostage situation, Dan played a pivotal role in rescuing three children and their mother, showcasing his unwavering dedication to the safety and well-being of others.
Beyond his professional commitments, Dan is a member of the St. Martin Catholic Church in Martinsville, where he and Michele engage with their faith and community. Dan's commitment to public service extends into various civic organizations and boards throughout Morgan County, where he works collaboratively to improve the community and support local initiatives.
Dan Downing’s extensive experience, commitment to public safety, and dedication to his community make him a respected leader in law enforcement and an integral part of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. His journey reflects his deep-rooted belief in service, family, and community, inspiring those around him to strive for excellence and compassion in their endeavors.
Mission
The Morgan County Sheriff's Office stands firmly committed to delivering exceptional public service and maintaining law and order through community-focused initiatives and operations. We take pride in our unwavering dedication to upholding the Constitution of the United States and the State of Indiana. Our mission is clear: to protect the rights and values of our citizens with the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability. Together, we are building a safe and thriving community for all.
Path to Success
Thirty-three years of dedicated public service
1991 - Jail Officer/Dispatcher
1994 - Deputy Town Marshal with the Town of Morgantown
1995 - Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (Town Marshal Course)
1996 - State Certified Crime Scene Investigator
1997 - Merit Deputy Morgan County Sheriff's Office
1998 - Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (Basic Course)
1998 - DARE Instructor Morgan County Schools
2000 - 2008 Elected as the Morgan County Coroner (Two Terms)
2003 - Morgan County Sheriff's Office Training Coordinator
2003 - Promoted to Morgan County SWAT Commander
2004 - Promoted to Detective Sergeant
2011 - Appointed to Chief of Investigations
2012 - Appointed Commander of the Morgan County Sheriff's Office, Honor Guard
2013 - Medal of Valor Recipient
2015 - 2019 Elected to the Washington Township Advisory Board
2020 - Appointed to the Rank of Captain
2023 - Promoted to Enforcement Captain
2024 - Morgan County Leadership Academy Graduate
Goal's
Retention of personnel: Today's society has proven difficult for law enforcement to retain officers. Today, officers need a sense of belonging and a cause. Many of our Law Enforcement Leaders refuse to embrace these needs, which results in many law enforcement officers moving on to more forward-thinking agencies. Law Enforcement officers are, for the most part, type A personalities. They want to be treated fairly, like everyone else in the agency, and with consistent discipline; above all else, they want to do their job with the agency's support. It cost the taxpayers of Morgan County $60,000 for the first year of a new deputy's training. This does not include their salary or benefit package. Law enforcement officers with a sense of belonging tend to be more productive, considerate to the public they represent, and more vested in the agency.
Mental Health: Mental health is a big issue today. We must have mental health outlets for our first responders and the public. We need trained first responders who know the proven methods of interacting with our citizens in crises, what resources are available, and how to best capitalize on them. We must have well-balanced first responders who can draw upon their training to help the public, themselves, and fellow first responders during a crisis to bring about a meaningful and lasting solution.
Morgan County Drug Task Force: The Morgan County Drug Task Force was developed approximately three years ago as a cooperative effort between the Sheriff's Office, Martinsville Police Department, Mooresville Metropolitan Police Department, the Morgan County Prosecutors Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This partnership has been very successful in closing down drug houses and arresting dealers. However, it is utilized minimally due to the team's funding and manpower. The originating goal of this group was to work our way into our local drug houses in Morgan County, secure a search warrant, and make an arrest of those dealers. In turn, cash and property derived from the illegal dealing activity fund the task force in their future work. This structure has been very successful and needs to be expanded to more officers and more hours of work on the street. We need to stop spending tax dollars to combat the drug epidemic. One of the main reasons it has been so hard to stop the drug problem is because of the money that stands to be made by the person selling this poison to our community. Therefore, the funding required to finance these operations should be coming from the profits of the drug dealer and not the taxpayer.
The government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.
Ronald Reagan
Ways to Help
Donate to the Downing for Sheriff Campaign
Donate to the Downing for Sheriff Campaign
Donate to the Downing for Sheriff Campaign