About Sheriff John L. Beeman

John was born and raised in Madison County, Indiana. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and later graduated from Ball State before embarking on a 30-year career with the U.S. Marshals Service.

In 2007, he was promoted to Supervisory Inspector in Indianapolis to oversee the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. His team took that task force and expanded it from two cities to every major city in Indiana.

During that time, he worked with 26 partner agencies — federal, state, and local. He had worked with chiefs of police and sheriffs across the state of Indiana even before taking office as Madison County Sheriff in Dec. 31, 2022.

John Beeman is the first Republican Sheriff of Madison County, Indiana since 1982.

First-Term Accomplishments

Sheriff Beeman Fought to Retain Officers and Supported Funding for Safety Enhancements

In recent years, uncompetitive pay has resulted in trained deputies leaving the Sheriff’s Department for more money offered by other law enforcement agencies in central Indiana.

In my first term, I fought to retain officers and convinced the council to provide essential funding to enhance officer safety.

  • Led the effort to furnish bullet-resistent glass windshields for patrol vehicles to keep officers safe
  • Supported and advocated for the 21 percent pay raise for Merit body
  • Updated uniform choices and load-bearing equipment to reduce fatigue
  • Expanded the department’s K9 program to include emotional support dogs and correctional K9
  • Full manpower: The Sheriff’s Department has the fully authorized complement of Merit Deputies

Sheriff Beeman Improved Jail Operations and Better Pay (Lower Turnover)

Four years ago, I ran as an Outsider to Madison County politics. Today, I know our Sheriff’s Department inside and out. I know what our Jail Staff face every day. To reduce turnover and the constant search for new employees, I championed better pay and smarter scheduling.

  • Improved the Jail Staff pay matrix and supported 22 percent pay raise
  • Moved Jail Staff to 12-hour shifts to reduce overtime expenditures
  • Increased jail medical coverage to 24 hours to reduce county liability in the treatment of offenders
  • Full manpower: The Sheriff’s Department has the fully authorized complement of Correctional Staff – This was not the case during the previous administration!

Smart Transition to the New Jail: Continuity of Leadership

September 2025: Sheriff Beeman tours the new jail still under Phase 1 construction. He will continue helping the commissioners understand the Sheriff Department’s needs and operational requirements for the $110 million project. Photo: Anderson Herald Bulletin staff

The most in-depth, high-focus project of the Beeman administration has the new jail. I have always been the strongest advocate for its Phase 2 build-out in a 2nd term as your Sheriff.

Re-electing your Sheriff allows me to reappoint my Administrative Team to continue its work on a smart and smooth transition to the new jail. Leaving the team in place continues the immediate energy and effectiveness of the Sheriff’s Department without needing time to adjust or learn.

  • Led a team to complete the Phase 2 build out of the new jail instead of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to house inmates elsewhere
  • Guided the same team to develop plans to close the Community Corrections Center, allowing for added Jail Staff and new training to streamline criminal justice operations within the county
  • Initiated plans for mental health and addiction treatment within the new jail – paid for with funds from the county’s opioid settlement
  • Scrutinized every detail myself inside the facility, also reviewed by my Administrative Team

Sheriff Beeman: Increased Public Safety through Interagency Expertise

My public safety focus has been leadership, courage, and professionalism in maintaining public peace, operating the jail, and coordinating with outside law enforcement agencies. History shows that teamwork and collaboration among agencies result in more successfully closed cases.

Task Force Collaborations and Assignments

  • Partnered with Indiana State Police and ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) to conduct child predator stings within Madison County
  • Assisted the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force with their back log of outstanding Fugitive Warrants, including Steve Sumner (captured Sept. 2025)
  • Partnered with the prosecutor’s office to uncover nearly $4 million in Social Security Administration Fraud

More Important Achievements (2023-Present)

  • Increased security personnel and updated security practices for the Government Center
  • Assigned a Sex Offender Registration Investigator, increasing prosecutions to record levels for Failure to Register
  • Updated our vehicle fleet using non-taxpayer funds to purchase five new vehicles while trading in older, high-mileage vehicles
  • Increased the number of officers trained to be Gun Liaison Investigators – for crimes related to firearms, and related evidence collection and submission to state labs
  • Added a School Resource Officer for East Elementary School
  • Strengthened the Operation Lifesaver program to locate more vulnerable or endangered persons who have wandered away from family and caregivers by using wearable transmitters

Voter Information

The Indiana Republican Primary Election will be Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Also, you may vote early in-person starting Tuesday, April 7 at the Madison County Government Center (“The Courthouse”) during regular business hours.

Before You Vote

Register to vote or check your voting status any time at www.IndianaVoters.com no later than April 6, 2026 when the voter registration period ends. Make sure your name and address is correct.

What you need to register:

  1. Have a valid Indiana Driver’s License or Indiana State Identification Card.
  2. Be a citizen of the United States.
  3. Be at least 18 years old on or before the next general, municipal or special election. (A 17-year-old may register and vote in the primary election if the voter turns 18 on or before the next general or municipal election.)
  4. Have lived in your precinct for at least 30 DAYS before the next general, municipal, or special election.
  5. Not currently imprisoned after being convicted of a crime.

Absentee & Early Voting

By Mail

If you have a legitimate reason, you may vote by mail with an absentee ballot mailed to your home. You must fill out an absentee ballot application and mail it to the Madison County Circuit Court Clerk’s office. They must receive your completed application by mail or hand-delivered no later than April 23, 2026

By Traveling Board

If you are a confined voter, a voter caring for a confined person at a private residence, or a voter with disabilities, you may vote an absentee ballot before a two-person voter board at your residence or place of confinement. The traveling board consists of two persons, each representing the Republican party and Democrat party, respectively. April 16, 2026 is the first day voters may vote by traveling board.

Early Voting at Satellite Locations

In addition to the Madison County courthouse, starting April 27, voters will be able to cast their ballots one week prior to Election Day at these satellite locations:

  • Emery Lee Building, Beulah Park, Alexandria
  • Anderson Zion Baptist Church
  • Crossroads Global Methodist Church*
  • UAW 1963
  • Elwood City Hall
  • Markleville Community Park Building
  • Pendleton Library

The satellite voting center locations will be open from Monday, April 27 through Saturday, May 2, 2026 at these times:

  • Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday (May 2), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Note: Crossroads Global Methodist Church will be open two Saturdays (4/25 and 5/2) as well as the Courthouse.

Election Day Vote Centers

Madison County plans to use 29 vote center locations for Primary Election Day 2026. Hours for voting will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Anderson
  • ACS Administrative Building
  • Alethea Fellowship Church
  • Anderson Zion Baptist Church
  • Crossroads Global Methodist Church
  • Edgewood Baptist Church
  • Florida Station Church of God
  • Lone Oak Wesleyan Church
  • Highland Middle School
  • Main Street Church of God
  • National Guard Armory
  • Impact Center
  • Parkview Nazarene Church
  • UAW Local 1963
  • Wesley Free Methodist Church Whetstone Christian Church
Chesterfield
  • Mill Creek Center
Elwood
  • Main Street Wesleyan Church
  • Elwood City Hall
Frankton
  • Frankton Christian Church
Ingalls
  • Ingalls Town Hall
Lapel
  • Lapel Lions Club
Markleville
  • Markleville Community Park Building
Orestes
  • Orestes Town Hall
Pendleton
  • Fall Creek Christian Church
  • Pendleton Library
  • Pendleton Christian Church
  • Summer Lake Clubhouse
Summitville
  • Summitville Wesleyan Church