Alan Moore of Richmond is running for Wayne County Sheriff as a Republican candidate in the 2026 primary election.
2026 Election Guide
The Western Wayne News asked candidates in contested races for the May 5 primary election the same questions.
- List your education and employment history highlights (100 words or less).
- What are two specific reasons you decided to run for this office? (100 words or less.)
- If elected/reelected, what are your top three priorities for your time in office? (150 words or less.)
- What are two specific skills you would bring to the office to benefit constituents, if elected/reelected? (100 words or less.)
- What’s one aspect of the government body you’re seeking to join or lead that you think is working well and should continue? (100 words or less.)
- What’s one aspect of the body you’re seeking to join or lead that you think needs to change, and what specific action(s) would you pursue to change it? (100 words or less.)
- Will you accept the results of the election process even if you are not elected/reelected? (50 words or less.)
- With state and federal changes limiting funding for government services, what specific strategies will you pursue if elected to sustain the finances of the body you’re seeking to join or lead? (150 words or less)
- Beyond encouraging attendance at public meetings, how do you plan to involve residents in decision making processes that the office you seek is a part of? (100 words or less.)
- Any other comments you’d like to share about your candidacy? (150 words or less.)
Candidates were given three weeks to respond with a firm deadline and word limits. We share their answers here, unedited from their original form.
For full election coverage, visit the Western Wayne News 2026 Election Guide.
Bio highlights:
1984-1988 – Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Grinnell College.
1988-1995 – Systems and Network Administrator at Earlham College
1989-2004 – Volunteer Firefighter for Boston Township. Served as an instructor and later as Chief.
1995-2010 – Co-owner/partner in several tech companies, taking several of them from unprofitable to profitable status.
1995-2022 – Served as a reserve police officer for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, assisting in many areas including patrol, jail operations, training, supervision, and technology development.
2022-Present – Chief Deputy, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office – helping oversee operations, personnel, and an $11 million budget.
Reasons you ran: 1) I want to continue the programs the Sheriff’s Office has built that make it the respected agency it is today. Through strong partnerships, smart management, and modern tools, we can continue improving how we fight crime and provide for the security of our inmates.
2) Serving Wayne County has been a major part of my life, and I want to continue that service as Sheriff. There is no better culmination of my career than leading the men and women who do this work every day.
Top priorities: 1) Hold offenders accountable and keep them off the street. That means strong investigations, effective partnerships with local agencies and the Prosecutor’s Office, and focusing resources on repeat and violent offenders.
2) Transparency. Public trust is essential in law enforcement. I support making appropriate policies and information available to the public, improving crime reporting and statistics, and ensuring the Sheriff’s Office operates with professionalism and accountability.
3) Modernization and smart management. Law enforcement tools and leadership practices continue to evolve. By using technology, training, and data effectively, we can make sure deputies have the tools they need to succeed while operating efficiently and responsibly.
These priorities work together to strengthen public safety and ensure the Sheriff’s Office continues building on the strong foundation already in place.
Specific skills: 1) Operational experience. I have spent more than three decades working in many parts of the Sheriff’s Office, which allows me to understand the needs of deputies, jail staff, investigators, and the community. I also bring the experience of a private business owner who brought several businesses from an unprofitable to profitable status.
2) Problem solving through technology and modern management. I have helped develop systems that improved information sharing between law enforcement, courts, and public safety partners, strengthening investigations and communication.
Should continue: The Sheriff’s Office has excellent relationships with local police departments, Indiana State Police, the FBI, other public safety agencies, other jails and prisons, and community organizations. I would work to strengthen these relationships to address crime and promote the safety of our community.
This collaboration allows us to share information, coordinate investigations, and respond effectively when serious incidents occur.
Strong working relationships with our local law enforcement agencies, while respecting their autonomy, help ensure that offenders are held accountable and that communities across Wayne County remain safe while preserving the unique character of each community.
Needs to change: We can continue improving how information and data are shared with the public. Transparency helps build trust and allows residents to better understand the challenges law enforcement faces.
I support expanding public access to appropriate policies, improving how crime data and statistics are presented, and continuing to strengthen communication between the Sheriff’s Office and the community.
Providing clear and accurate information allows residents to stay informed and helps ensure the Sheriff’s Office remains accountable to the people it serves.
Accept election results: Yes. The election process is an important part of our democracy, and I will respect the results. I worked for many years with the clerk’s office in the technical aspect of the election, and have faith in its integrity.
… Our limited resources should always be focused on what matters most, which is public safety. By planning carefully and managing our budget responsibly, we can make sure Wayne County continues to receive strong law enforcement services while using taxpayer dollars wisely.
Alan Moore
Funding strategies: Protecting taxpayer dollars starts with running an efficient operation. Over the years I have worked to modernize systems and improve processes so departments can work smarter and avoid unnecessary costs.
I will also continue pursuing grants and other outside funding to help pay for equipment, technology, and training. That allows us to improve services without increasing the burden on local taxpayers.
Most importantly, good leadership means setting clear priorities. Our limited resources should always be focused on what matters most, which is public safety. By planning carefully and managing our budget responsibly, we can make sure Wayne County continues to receive strong law enforcement services while using taxpayer dollars wisely.
Engaging the public: The Sheriff’s Office regularly participates in community events, public presentations, and outreach programs. These allow residents to share concerns and ask questions directly. The Sheriff’s Office also has several staff that serve as board members for various community organizations. Improving access to information online is also important. Providing clear reports, statistics, and updates allows residents to stay informed about public safety issues in their communities.
Listening to the public helps law enforcement better understand community priorities and ensures that the Sheriff’s Office continues serving Wayne County in a way that reflects the needs of its residents.
Other comments: I spent over 36 years working in public safety, starting as a volunteer firefighter in Boston. Thirty years have been with the Sheriff’s Office, beginning in mounted patrol and now serving as Chief Deputy. During that time, I worked in patrol, jail operations, training, supervision, and technology development. Four Sheriffs entrusted me with leadership roles.
My approach to leadership is straightforward: support the people who serve the community and give them the tools they need to succeed. I will accomplish this by using modern tools and good management practices.
Wayne County has a strong Sheriff’s Office built through years of dedicated service and leadership. My goal is to continue building on that foundation, strengthening our ability to fight crime while maintaining professionalism, transparency, and accountability.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and would be honored to continue serving as the Sheriff of Wayne County.
A version of this article appeared in the April 1 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.