Lawrence County Sheriff Mike Branham announces staff changes

LAWRENCE CO. – Following a number of recent retirements, there have been several changes in rank and assignment at the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.

Chief Deputy Aaron Shoults retired at the end of March following a long and illustrious career serving the citizens of Lawrence County. Sheriff Mike Branham has appointed former training coordinator Major Gregg Taylor to the vacant position of Chief Deputy. 

Retired Deputy Aaron Shoults

Chief Deputy Gregg D. Taylor is a twenty-five plus year member of the department who was hired as a full time Deputy Sheriff by Sheriff Jerry A. Ross on February 19, 1996. For six and a half years prior to that, he worked for the Lawrence County Probation Department. Chief Deputy Taylor graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in March 1997. In 2008, Gregg was appointed as the department’s DARE Officer by former Sheriff Sam Craig. He proudly held that position for the next 11 years. Sheriff Craig then appointed Gregg to the department’s training coordinator position in 2011. He was appointed to the position of Major by current Sheriff Mike Branham in 2015 which encompassed both training and administrative duties. Chief Deputy 

Chief Deputy Gregg Taylor

Taylor was appointed to his current position on April 1, 2021. Gregg has been married to the former Aleta Prince since 1989 and has two daughters, Emily V. Taylor and Kaci Elizabeth Crabtree (deceased from Type I Diabetes). He has a grandson Waylon James Crabtree and a son in law Adam Crabtree. Chief Deputy Taylor is a graduate of the Public Service Leadership Institute, a past recipient of the department’s Officer of the Year award and has also received the department’s Life Saving Award. He is a certified general instructor through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and has attended numerous training classes through the Indiana and National Sheriff’s Associations. He is also a certified civilian handgun instructor through the National Rifle Association and a Refuse to Be a Victim instructor through the NRA. Chief Deputy Taylor has a Vincennes University Associate Degree in Conservation Law Enforcement and a Indiana Wesleyan University Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

He and his family have attended Bedford First Assembly for several years where he has served in church leadership as a board member and currently as an Elder. Gregg has also overseen the Open-Air Encounters Outdoor Ministry at the church for several years. Gregg is an avid turkey hunter and sporting clays shooter. Chief Deputy Taylor is looking forward to continue his service to the citizens of Lawrence County in his new role. 

Sgt. Travis Sanders

Sergeant Travis Sanders was appointed to the vacated position of training coordinator on April 1, 2021. Sergeant Sanders began his career with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office in 2014 as a jail deputy and was appointed Jail Commander in 2015 when Sheriff Branham assumed office. Sergeant Sanders remained in this position until 2017, when he achieved his ultimate goal of becoming a sworn merit deputy. Sergeant Sanders became a detective in 2019 and was appointed Detective Sergeant, until assuming the position of Sergeant / Training Coordinator. Prior to joining the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Sanders served in the United States Coast Guard as a Boatswains Mate, ultimately attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer, until his retirement in 2014 after 20 plus years of service. Sergeant Sanders served at numerous duty stations including Coast Guard Search and Rescue Station Port Canaveral, Florida, Coast Guard Cutter Drummond (WPB 1323), Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Mobile, Alabama, Search and Rescue Station Pensacola, Florida, Coast Guard Search and Rescue Station Frankfort, Michigan. Sergeant Sanders’ last duty station was Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown, Virginia where he was an instructor, school chief, and department supervisor. During his career, Sergeant Sanders was involved in a plethora of missions including search and rescue, law enforcement, and homeland security. He as earned numerous accolades for his performance of duty both individually and as a team. Sergeant Sanders earned both the permanent Coxswain insignia and the Advanced Boat Forces Operations Insignia. Upon retirement, Sergeant Sanders and his family returned to Lawrence County. Sergeant Sanders is married to Denise Sanders (Wiggins) and have four children, two of which currently serve in the United States Air Force. Sergeant Sanders is a 1992 graduate of Mitchell High School and attended Vincennes University and American Military University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Organizational Law Enforcement Leadership. Sergeant Sanders is also a graduate of the Southwest Enforcement Academy, United States Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy and the Public Service Leadership Institute. Sergeant Sanders looks forward to his continued service to the citizens of Lawrence County. . 

Captain Troy Lobosky retired in mid-March after more than 30 years of outstanding service as a law enforcement officer, and former Sergeant Riley Hitchcock was promoted to the rank of Captain in his place. Captain Hitchcock started at the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy and was hired as a sworn merit deputy on October 11, 2012. Captain Hitchcock had served in multiple roles leading up to his promotion including detective, field training officer, and patrol sergeant, and he continues to serve as the SWAT team commander, firearms instructor, range-master and armorer. Riley served in the U. S. Army Reserves, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant, and graduating 4th in his class in the U.S. Army Military Police Basic Officer Leadership Course. Riley has a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in English from Wabash College. Riley is married to Danielle Hitchcock and they have two daughters. 

Sheriff Mike Branham, Deputy Michael Ramos and Chief Deputy Gregg Taylor

The detective position vacated by Sergeant Sanders has been filled by Deputy Michael Ramos. Detective Ramos has been with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office since March of 2015, spending 4 years as a corrections officer, including shift sergeant, before becoming a sworn merit deputy in 2018. Detective Ramos is also a member of the SWAT team. Michael has served in the Army National Guard for 8 years, is a combat medic, and is airborne and air assault qualified. Michael has been married to Tara Ramos for 10 years, has a brother Marcus and a sister Myia. In addition, Detective Ramos is our most recent Officer of the Year award winner. “I look forward to working with these new leaders and listening to their fresh ideas for the future of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office” said Sheriff Branham. “The citizens of Lawrence County will be well served by them.”