Sheriff Tom Riggenbach

Sheriff - Van Wert County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach is a 31-year employee of the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office. He graduated from Lima Technical College in 1991 with an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement Technology. He began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 1995 as a deputy. In 1998, he was assigned to the K-9 Unit, and in 1999, he was promoted to Sergeant. He was later promoted to Chief Deputy of Corrections in 2005. In 2012, Sheriff Riggenbach was elected to his first term as Sheriff and took office in January 2013. During his time in office, he has worked to improve deputy safety by updating and expanding training programs and providing training to 55 to 60 employees on best practices and protocols. He has also secured more than $500,000 in funding for criminal investigation, officer safety, communication, and jail security equipment. Sheriff Riggenbach has expanded community service efforts by creating a Crash Investigation/Reconstruction Team, a Technology Lab, full-time School Resource Officers at three schools, a body camera program, and a drone program. He is a member of the local Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board. In 2023, the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office launched a mental health wellness program that includes mandatory annual mental health checks for all employees, along with opportunities for employees to receive therapy. At the beginning of 2026, an additional provider was brought on board, allowing for the creation of an Employee Assistance Program. Sheriff Riggenbach is married to his wife, Heather, and they will celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary in December. They have three grown children: Mackenzie, Tyler, and Noah.

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