Jeff Balon grew up just outside of Valparaiso. He spent his younger years living on a farm in rural Jackson Township but later attended Chesterton High School. He’s wanted a career in law enforcement since he was little. After graduating from high school, he began to learn the ins and outs of the world he had wished to be a part of for so long.
Balon studied at Vincennes University for two years to obtain his associate’s degree, majoring in law-enforcement studies. He eventually finished his bachelor’s by attending Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting. His bachelor’s degree is in public safety administration, and he formally became a police officer after graduating. He was well aware of the path he wanted to take as he made his way through his education before finally wearing a badge for good.
“I was fortunate to know at a young age that I wanted to be a police officer,” he said.
Balon’s first gig in law enforcement was at the Porter County Jail. He worked there for a few months. Then in January of 1992, he was hired as a patrol officer for the Valparaiso Police Department (VPD). Soon after, he went to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield. His experience working in a jail laid the groundwork for his overall growth as a law-enforcement expert.
“I feel that my time as a jail officer was very important. It’s a controlled environment where you are learning how to communicate and verbally de-escalate situations dealing with the inmate population,” he said. “I think that’s a big benefit to becoming a police officer.”
The role of sheriff is an elected position. It’s no promotion, and the nearby citizens ultimately make the final decision as to who will be voted in. For Balon, the people of Porter County backed his eventual seizure of the job he now possesses.
In his 30 years as a member of VPD, he worked alongside seasoned officers and emergent politicians alike, networking and building connections. Balon was in all kinds of roles at VPD from patrol supervisor to roles in the department’s detective bureau. In 2015, he moved into doing more work in police administration. Around that time, he had been appointed captain of investigations.
Two years later, Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas offered him the position of police chief. Matt Murphy succeeded Costas, and he retained Balon as chief of police during his term serving the city.
Balon decided to run for Porter County Sheriff in 2021. In November of the following year, he was elected, and then he took office on January 1, 2023. In a nutshell, he provides the primary law-enforcement protection for unincorporated Porter County. He’s charged with keeping the courthouses safe, maintaining the jail, and processing civil and criminal warrants, among other tasks.
“It’s important that I know the needs of every jurisdiction in the county. I have a big role, and I work to maintain relationships and open communication with all the other elected officials so that we can all work together effectively,” he said.
Enjoying working the roads, Balon ensures he gets out on them multiple times a month so that he doesn’t remain behind a desk constantly. Whenever he does, however, he’s busy, striving to build up a social work program of which he’s overseen the development. With 450 square miles and with a total population of over 170,000, he recognizes he protects individuals with all different kinds of beliefs, lifestyles, and socio-economic statuses across the county. To him, managing good public relations is critical.
“Community outreach is vital to better neighborhoods, so it’s helpful when residents trust and call on us,” he said. “I think we always have to look to evolve as an agency and connect with our citizens to make things better now. I enjoy being engaged with our community.”
Balon is close to his family. He, his wife Katie, and their children, Nikke, Ella, and Harrison, like to boat on Lake Michigan during the summertime. For them, there’s enjoyment to be found together wherever, whether in their backyard at home or traveling. He’s started dabbling in the cattle arena with his son. This winter, they plan to snowmobile and snow-ski.
Morgan Township is where the Balon family resides. Balon himself enjoys sitting on his porch and watching the traffic pass by on the country roads. It differs in size from Porter County, being quiet and pastoral, but there are similarities between the two.
“Porter County is exceptional. It’s safe, and the support we get is overwhelmingly positive. There’s a strong sense of community throughout both the place I work and the place I live, so I think I’m lucky to be where I am,” he said.