08252017 - News Article - Chief Dennis Matthew Eaton promises a smooth transition following former Sheriff John Buncich's conviction and removal for public corruption

Chief Dennis Matthew Eaton promises a smooth transition following former Sheriff John Buncich's conviction and removal for public corruption
NWI Times
Aug 25, 2017
nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/chief-dennis-matthew-eaton-promises-a-smooth-transition-following-former/article_81fc8e56-33ee-570b-bc60-b1c0f893d737.html

CROWN POINT — Chief Dennis Matthew Eaton is promising a smooth transition in the leadership of the Lake County Sheriff's Department following the conviction of now former Sheriff John Buncich.

Eaton, who is now overseeing county police, the county jail and the county animal shelter, issued a public statement Friday morning that he is working closely with the Lake County Board of Commissioners and the Lake County Council.

Eaton took over the operation of the sheriff's department Thursday morning after a U.S. District Court jury returned a guilty verdict against Buncich on bribery, wire fraud and honest services wire fraud charges.

State law mandates the immediate removal of an elected official after a felony conviction.

Eaton said the department is operating normally in the interim of Buncich's departure and a Sept. 16 caucus of the Lake County precinct committee organization.

Those who have publicly expressed interest in running for sheriff include: Lake County Clerk Mike A. Brown, former sheriff Roy Dominguez, Schererville Police Chief David Dowling, Richard Ligon of Gary, county police Sgt. Oscar Martinez, assistant county Police Chief Daniel Murchek and Highland attorney Thomas O'Donnell.

Buncich chose Eaton May 31 to become second in command of the sheriff's department, replacing Timothy Downs, who resigned from the department last December after pleading guilty to federal charges alleging he collected towing firm kickbacks under Buncich's orders.

Eaton joined the department in 1995, graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1997, the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in 2012 and is currently studying security management at American Military University.

He has served as commander of the Sheriff's Department's Criminal Investigations Division from 2013 to his appointment as police chief.

A federal grand jury indicted Buncich, Downs and William “Willie” Szarmach, operator of CSA Towing of Lake Station in November. Szarmach also has pleaded guilty to paying bribes.