Sheriff appoints two new DARE deputies

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers has appointed two additional deputies to serve in the DARE program.

Deputies Nick Martoccia and  Andrew Whipker join current DARE Deputy Jessica Pendleton.

Martoccia and Whipker recently returned from DARE training where they learned a variety of teaching styles.

“In addition to their duties in law enforcement, they will instruct Bartholomew County students and other youth in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program and coordinate program activities with local school administrators, teachers, parents and peers,” Myers said..“I believe it is extremely important to get more deputies into our Bartholomew County schools."

Martoccia began his career with the sheriff’s office as a Merit Deputy in 2009. He is a graduate of Columbus East High School and holds an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Vincennes University.

Whipker began his career with the sheriff’s office as a merit deputy in 2015. Prior to his service with Bartholomew County, Whipker served as a probation officer with the Greenwood Probation Department. He is a graduate of Columbus East High School and holds a criminal justice degree from IUPUC.

In addition to their DARE duties, Deputies Pendleton, Martoccia and Whipker will continue to perform a variety of law enforcement duties including those of responding to calls for service. 

Pendleton began her career with the sheriff’s office as a reserve deputy before becoming a Merit Deputy in 2009. In 2011, she was the sheriff's department's K-9 officer and, in 2015, she became the sheriff’s DARE officer.