(STURGIS) – Chad Spence has been sworn in as St. Joseph County Sheriff.

Spence was officially sworn in during a ceremony Thursday at the Sturges-Young Center For The Arts. Also in attendance were family members along with community leaders.

Spence announced in June 2023 that he was running for Sheriff. A life long resident of St. Joseph County, Spence spent 26 years with the Sheriff’s Department and retired as a Detective Sergeant. For the last few years, he has been an instructor with the St. Joseph County CTE, teaching their Law Enforcement classes.

Spence defeated four other Republican candidates in the August Primary to be able to run for Sheriff, including then Undersheriff Jason Bingaman and former Undersheriff Dennis Allen.

Spence ran unopposed in the November General Election. He replaces Mark Lillywhite as Sheriff.

David Northrop will be Spence’s Undersheriff. Bingaman has been hired to be the Branch County Undersheriff.