On September 4, 2015, an open house was held in Rensselaer, Indiana, to celebrate the dedicated service of Chief Probation Officer Michael E. Sinks, who recently retired from the Jasper County Probation Department.
Sinks joined the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy in January of 1976, and in February of 1978 was promoted to Sergeant, where he held the rank until July of 1980, when he was appointed as a Probation Officer by the Honorable Michael S. Kanne. In November of 1999, Sinks was appointed Chief Probation Officer and has maintained that position for the past 16 years.
In recognition of his service to the Indiana criminal justice system, Sinks was honored with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award received from Governor Mike Pence. The Sagamore of the Wabash is an honorary award created by the state during the term of Governor Ralph F. Gates (1945-1949). The word “sagamore” was the term used by Algonquian-speaking American Indian tribes of the northeastern United States for the tribal chiefs. The Wabash is the “State River” of Indiana and major tributary of the Ohio River. Each governor since Gates has presented the
certificates in his own way. Among those who have received this award have been astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians, and citizens who have contributed greatly to “Hoosier” heritage.
Replacing Sinks as Chief Probation Officer is Michael E. Spangler, who had served as a probation officer with the department.