HENRY COUNTY, Indiana — Henry County Sheriff John Sproles fears if his deputies don't receive a pay increase, they could leave for higher paying jobs.
"This is scary. This is a scary thing," said Sproles.
Sproles says his deputies are grossly underpaid.
"We have a high-risk job. It's not a $49,000 a year job. We have got to pay our officers fair pay at a minimum," said Sproles.
Sproles says when Washington County's sheriff announced on March 15 about suspending their overnight shift due to staffing shortages, he feared Henry County wasn't far behind.
But as of Friday, Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller said Indiana State Police will help provide coverage during overnight hours.
The city council there also approved an $8,000 pay raise for deputies.
New Castle city leaders say there's a lack of funding.
"It's easier for the larger municipals and counties because of the amount of volume they can get from their revenue of taxes. The smaller counties and municipals just don't have that," said Lynn Perdue, New Castle city council member.
Perdue says something must be done.
"I feel the sheriff's pain because the police chief has mentioned the same thing in council meetings that we're having trouble retaining our officers because larger cities are offering huge hiring bonuses. It's a struggle," said Perdue.
It's a struggle Sproles says is happening across the country.
"I think kind of a catalyst for this discussion about the pay was when the state police gave all of their officers a large pay raise, which they deserve. But it really started shining a light on these local departments such as ours. We have got to step it up or we're going to lose our officers to them," said Sproles.
Sproles laid out the numbers in a social media post.
"If you stay on as a deputy you will be making $54,668.00 in your 15th year of service with Henry County. If you stay with ISP, you will be making $112,000.00 in your 15th year," wrote Sproles.
Sproles says retirement pay would also be impacted, as retirement sits around 60 to 70% of their salary.
Perdue says change could be in the form of tax increases or other means to prevent a Washington County scenario.
"My wife and I talked about the Washington County sheriff about there's no third shift coverage. How frightening is that? I mean that as to be avoided somehow," said Perdue.
Sproles fears his hands will be tied when a resident calls 911.
"There are times when state police don't have anybody in our area. If we don't have any county officers on duty and we don't have any state police officers in the area, what happens when somebody calls? Somebody's kicking my door in. I don't know what happens," said Sproles. "When you are in the position, you're in trouble."
Sproles says by 2025, a third-party company quoted the average fair pay for a deputies starting salary should sit around $60,000. It's a salary that needs to be put in place to help keep deputies in Henry County.