GREENFIELD — Nick Gulling, the popular former sheriff who served an unprecedented four terms in a political career that spanned more than three decades, died Monday, Feb. 17. He was 78.
Gulling had battled pancreatic cancer for the past two-plus years and died at home surrounded by his loved ones.
A Republican, he was first elected sheriff in 1982 and was re-elected in 1986. After leaving office because of term limits, he served as jail commander and also won the District 53 seat in the Indiana House of Representatives, where he served three terms.
He was elected sheriff again in 1998 and 2002.
Gulling for a generation had an outsize influence on law enforcement and public safety in Hancock County. The current Hancock County Jail was built when he was sheriff, and upon retirement from the sheriff’s department in 2007, he guided creation of the Hancock County Emergency Operations Center and at one point served as a supervisor of the 911 operation after the city and county dispatch staffs merged. He also was a charter member of the Hancock County Community Corrections Board.
He also hired many law enforcement officers, a number of whom are in leadership positions today in part because of his mentorship. Sheriff Brad Burkhart and Greenfield Police Chief Jeff Rasche both credit the former sheriff with helping them in their careers.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
A complete story about Nick Gulling’s life will appear in Tuesday’s print edition of the Daily Reporter.
