Sheriff’s veteran new 911 chief

A 28-year veteran of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department has been named director of the county’s 911 Emergency Operations Center.

Todd Noblitt, 52, was appointed Monday by the Bartholomew County Commissioners and will succeed Ed Reuter, who left May 15 to become executive director of Indiana’s statewide 911 board.

Noblitt, who most recently worked in the sheriff’s department as a lieutenant and shift supervisor, will begin his new role July 13 and earn $59,859 a year.

The incoming director held the rank of major and chief deputy of the department under two-term Sheriff Mark Gorbett, from Jan. 1, 2007 through Dec. 31, 2014. With Gorbett unable to run again because of term limits, Noblitt was among four Republicans who sought the office, finishing second to eventual GOP winner Matt Myers in the May primary three years ago.

Myers won with 37.1 percent of the vote, while Noblitt garnered 31.3 percent of votes cast.

Noblitt was selected to direct the county’s 911 center from among seven applicants, two of which county employees, Bartholomew County Commissioner Carl Lienhoop said.

Julie Pierce, deputy director and acting director of the Bartholomew County Emergency Operations Center, said she did not seek the position.

Noblitt was interviewed by the county’s Oversight Committee, which included top public-safety officers such as Sheriff Myers, Columbus Fire Chief Mike Compton, Columbus Police Chief Jon Rohde and Hope Town Marshal Matt Tallent.

In addition, all three commissioners had interviewed Noblitt as well, Lienhoop said.

“We were very satisfied with his answers to our questions,” he said. “We expect no less out of Todd than we did Ed Reuter.”

Lienhoop also described Noblitt as a man with integrity and trust.

“He has served the county well so far and he won’t disappoint us,” he said.

Myers praised the appointment of Noblitt, saying that he’s good with people and has great management skills.

“I don’t foresee the progress of the operations center slowing down one bit,” Myers said.

Gorbett also said the county’s selection of Noblitt for the role is a good one.

“I couldn’t think of a better fit to lead the 911 center,” Gorbett said. “It’s a win-win.”

Reuter described Noblitt as a great choice for the job and a great fit for the community.

The two men already have a strong working relationship, Reuter said, which began when Reuter was with the Indiana State Police working with Noblitt in his roles with the sheriff’s department.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to continue working with him in this new role,” Reuter said.

Noblitt said he has always looked to Reuter as a mentor and feels like the new role will be a good fit for him with his background. The opportunity is one that he said will allow him to stay connected with the community, and to individuals from different agencies he has met during his law enforcement career.

“I have some big shoes to fill,” Noblitt said. “My goal is to step in and continue operations at a professional level they’re already operating at.”

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Age: 52

Experience: 28 years with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, currently serves as lieutenant and shift supervisor within the department

Family: Married to Mary; they have a son, Christopher

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