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Meet Sheriff Steve Bush and his Leadership Team

A graduate of Jeffersonville High School he graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelor’s degree in criminology. He graduated the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1991 and has amassed thousands of hours of law enforcement training. Sheriff Bush has been a life long resident of Floyd County and is believes in servant leadership.

Sheriff Bush has an extensive background in law enforcement that makes up his more than 30 years with the New Albany Police Department. Serving as a merited police captain he also has been appointed to the positions within the Patrol Division, served as a detective, and commander over the the Criminal Investigations Division.

Beyond his experience in the law enforcement community, Sheriff Bush has also served his community in elected offices including being elected to the Georgetown Township Advisory Board, and 3 terms as a Floyd County Commissioner. During his 3 terms as commissioner he was elected and served as president of the commissioners for 6 years.

After being elected County Sheriff in November of 2022, Steve announced his leadership team that is currently working with the current administration to transition the office of sheriff. 

On January 1, 2023, Lt. Jeff Firkins will be promoted to Chief Deputy. Chief Firkins is a 23 year veteran of the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office. His career began in corrections before being hired on the patrol division. He has served as the Commander of the Hostage Negotiation Team and a Detective Captain, leading the operations of the investigations of the Criminal Investigations Division.  Chief Firkins most recently served as a Lieutenant in the Patrol Division.  Chief Firkins currently serves as the Administrative Division Commander Chief Firkins has served as President and Secretary of Frank C. Denzinger Lodge 171 of the Fraternal Order of Police and is a former Chairman of the Floyd County Police Merit Officer’s Bargaining Committee.  He is a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and the Administrative Officer’s Course of the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville.  Throughout his career he has attended thousands of hours of continuing education and specialized training in policing theories and practices including Reid Interview and Interrogation and the Southern Police Institute’s Homicide Investigation Course.  

On January 1, 2023, Lt. Scott Evans will be promoted to Colonel. Colonel Scott Evans joined the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department in 2001 after serving the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department for 6 1/2 years. During his tenure with the Department, he has served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Detective, Patrol Lieutenant, Metro SWAT Team Commander, Crash Reconstruction Team Commander, and a member of the Sheriff’s Executive Staff. He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Indiana Wesleyan University and is a graduate of the University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute Senior Leadership Program. Colonel Evans currently serves as the Operations Division Commander responsible for the operations of Patrol, Communications and Corrections Sections of the Department.

Sheriff Steve Bush and his leadership team are working to define the vision of their leadership as they transition into the 2023 year. The Floyd County Sheriff’s Department will enforce the laws, interact with the public, and provide care and custody of inmates in a fair and impartial manner. Police Officers will focus on SERVICE to the community while acting as First Responders. They will also detect and deter crime with FORTITUDE while maintaining a professional bearing. I will ensure that DEDICATION to keeping the community safe and secure with a strong COMMITMENT to maintaining the positive reputation of the Department will be paramount to all employees.