HANCOCK COUNTY — To say Warren Aldrich likes things done by the book would be a slight understatement. Doing things by the letter of the law defines Aldrich, who will celebrate 50 years of working in law enforcement Wednesday, May 5. He started his career with the Indiana State Police on Sept. 1, 1968 and worked with the department for 34 years before retiring Aug. 31, 2002.
After a couple of years of laying low, Aldrich knew the retirement life was not for him and heard of an opening for a bailiff, a courtroom security officer, in Hancock County Circuit Court. Judge Richard Culver hired him in May of 2005 and he’s been serving the county as a courtroom law enforcement officer ever since.
While it takes a special kind of person to get into the public service profession, it takes someone even more dedicated to do it for 50 years. However, Aldrich said he’s a little different, noting he stuck with police work for decades and continued on as a bailiff because he quite frankly loves the work.
“You know the State Police recruitment force asked me the very same question all those years ago, why did I want to get into law enforcement and I said ‘well, I liked the pension program and number two, I’ve always been the kind of person who did not depend on somebody else to do things,” Aldrich said. “I wanted to do things and rely on myself to help keep society safe.'”
Tough and gruff are two words some have used to describe the 77-year-old, but that suits Aldrich just fine. He likes being able to show people who walk into the courthouse that there is a right and wrong way to do things and the right way is the only way that flies when he is present.
“When I first started working in the courthouse, I’d maybe have to say something to someone about the way we do things here once a week, but now sometimes it’s more than once a day,” Aldrich said.
While some might think that is the hard part of his job, it isn’t. Just like when he was patrolling the Indiana highways, Aldrich said he was and is very comfortable on the job and is always ready to let people know if they step out of line.
“People talk about how dangerous being in law enforcement is, and it is, especially nowadays, but it’s the same for a fireman, a midnight store or gas station clerk,” he said. “But, it’s something most police officers only allow to occupy a very small part of their brain.”
Judge Scott Sirk, who presides over Circuit Court, inherited Aldrich as part of his staff when he took over for Culver in December of 2017. Sirk, who worked as the county’s court commissioner since 2009, has grown accustomed to Aldrich and considers him a vital part of his court staff and called him a dedicated security officer who desires the very best protection and operation for Circuit Court.
“He always comes to work early, never misses a day and is flexible and will stay as long as we need his services,” Sirk said. “I rely on him tremendously during jury trials and in taking care of and serving our jury.”
Sirk sighted one of his most recent sentencing hearings where Aldrich not only handled a large crowd of 50 or more people inside the courtroom, but also oversaw and supervised some 50 people awaiting in the courtroom hallways to hear the outcome of the hearing.
“Warren was dedicated to ensure smooth court operations,” Sirk said. “He meets the public on behalf of Circuit Court and always conveys professionalism and service to the citizens of Hancock County.”
Whenever he’s slated to work, Aldrich is always the first person at the courthouse, reading through the Bible and praying for protection and guidance for all who enter through the doors. While the act almost makes one think Aldrich cares about the happenings of every soul who enters the courthouse, he never wants to spoil the image he has of having a rough and tough exterior.
“I don’t want to admit that I have a heart for the community and ruin my reputation,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve been accused of not having a heart and I’m good with that.”
Aldrich’s wife, Sally, happened to be a jail commander with the county when Aldrich thought about heading back to work as a bailiff some 16 years ago and that helped him determine while there were a hundred other things he could have done, serving as an bailiff for the county would be good for him.
“It’s been a good fit for me,” he said.
Through the years Aldrich has seen how being a law enforcement official has changed and admits it bothers him. He noted how when he first became an ISP officer, people were compliant and willing to follow rules. Nowadays there is so much distaste for law enforcement and a lot more rebellion.
“I don’t know if I could go back to wearing a uniform or being a policeman on the roads today,” he said. “It’s completely different from when I was on the roads.”
Still, he knows being an ISP officer was a chance to do something he loved, just like being a bailiff and he’s proud to talk about his grandson, who has followed in his footsteps and currently works for the Greenfield Police Department.
Aldrich likes to tell the story of when his grandson first started in law enforcement with the Knightstown Police Department of how he’d always pull out his pension check from the ISP and compare it with his grandson’s pay as a way to get him to join the state force.
“I’d show it to him and say, ‘You sure you don’t want to go work for them?'” Aldrich said with a sparkle in his eye.
While he won’t admit he’s proud of the 50 years of law enforcement work as an officer and bailiff, a wallet he carries tucked inside a pocket tells a different story and showcases his ISP state badge and his retirement cards noting once a police officer, always a law enforcement officer, and that is indeed the case for Aldrich.
