When President Donald Trump stepped to the podium March 4 to address the nation, millions of Americans watched on television, but Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter was there, inside the House of Representatives’ chamber.
Retter took in Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress a few seats away from former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich in the gallery section above the Democrats’ side of the aisle. Rep. Jefferson Shreve, a Republican representing Indiana’s Sixth District, invited Retter to Washington, D.C., for the occasion.
“It was certainly an amazing experience,” Retter said the next day as he drove back to Wayne County. “I feel very honored to have that opportunity to be present for a monumental occasion.”
Witnessing firsthand a historic event also provided Retter, a past president of the Indiana Sheriff’s Association and state representative to the National Sheriff’s Association, the opportunity to speak with Shreve and other legislators about issues facing law enforcement.
“It was really good to educate or confirm with them things that affect law enforcement,” Retter said. “I did talk about issues that the association has gathered from sheriffs across the state.”
In a press release announcing his invitation to Retter, Shreve mentioned Retter’s commitment to working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Retter discussed that commitment during the Jan. 29 meeting of Wayne County’s commissioners, explaining how his department complies with ICE requests and protocols.
Trump’s administration has promoted strict immigration policies that include mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and their families, enforcing policies in previously protected locations such as health care facilities and schools, and limiting options for legal immigration.
Retter said Wayne County is impacted by drug trafficking through the border with Mexico. Interstate 70 provides a corridor for drugs, a fact highlighted by a traffic stop five years ago. On May 13, 2020, sheriff’s personnel stopped a speeding California vehicle in which 16 kilograms of fentanyl and 5 kilograms of heroin were discovered. The drugs had a street value of approximately $25 million.
Though immigration issues are often conflated with drug trafficking issues, seizure data from the Drug Enforcement Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol shows that fentanyl smuggling is most often done by U.S. citizens for consumption by U.S. citizens, and few incidents involve undocumented immigrants.
Retter said his message was well-received, and legislators are very aware of the issues. They want to provide assistance at the federal level, because local efforts alone will not remove the drug threat.
“It has to be attacked at all levels,” Retter said. “We cannot stop it locally. We need to attack it from all angles, including stopping it at its source. In order for us to heal, we have to stop the bleeding first.”
Retter was pleased that Trump expressed support for law enforcement. Despite his recent pardon of violent felons convicted of attacking U.S. Capitol Police officers on January 6, 2021, Trump called for mandatory death penalties for those convicted of killing law enforcement officers and pushed for increased penalties for repeat offenders and expanded protections for officers.
Law enforcement has been scrutinized, Retter said, but mistakes by some should not lead to officers being painted with a broad brush. Retter feels a shift occurring to support the “vast majority” of officers who do their jobs the right way.
Retter was disappointed with the actions of some Democrats seated below him during Trump’s speech, who were protesting Trump’s actions and policies since starting his second term.
“I feel like everybody has a constitutional right to express their opinion, but as important as this address is, I was a bit disappointed with some of the distractions,” Retter said.
Still, it was an “exceptional opportunity” for Retter individually and with his advocacy for Wayne County and East Central Indiana among those who shape our nation.
Retter said he’d only met Shreve once, at last May’s Lincoln Day dinner. He was contacted by Shreve’s staff to gauge his availability, then Shreve called to invite him. Retter drove March 3 to Washington, then drove back March 5, arriving back in Wayne County late in the afternoon.
Before Retter’s return, Wayne County Council approved his request to use the sheriff’s commissary fund to finance his trip. Council approved that during its March 5 meeting.
“It’s a great opportunity that the sheriff had to represent Wayne County,” said Max Smith, the council president, adding that he appreciates Retter spending the money from commissary rather than the county’s general fund.
Retter said the cost would be less than $900, and he did not want tax money to pay for the travel.
“With the conversations I had and the ability to discuss current issues with law enforcement, I hope it’s a good investment,” Retter said.
A version of this article appeared in the March 12 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.