Chief Jim Palmer

Chief Jim Palmer has been a resident of Vigo County for 36 years. He attended Lost Creek Elementary School, Woodrow Wilson Middle School, and graduated Terre Haute North Vigo High School in 1995. He graduated Indiana State University in 1999 with a B.S. in criminology. Jim has two children, one son and one daughter who are both currently attending universities in Indiana, to further their education. Chief Palmer also has a significant other, Lisa Denham, who have been together for a number of years. He is a member of Maryland Community Church.

Chief Palmer has served in various divisions within the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office. He was hired as a Corrections Officer with the Vigo County Jail in 1999. Palmer was sworn as a Merit Deputy in October of 2001. He has served in various areas of the Sheriff’s Office including; all three patrol shifts, K-9 Division, Criminal Investigations, the Vigo County Drug Task Force, Vigo County Criminal Activity Task Force, and he was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration as a task force officer. Palmer has also served as a member of the Vigo County Emergency Response Team.

Chief Palmer has served the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office as an Assistant Reserve Coordinator, Assistant Commander of the Vigo County Criminal Activity Team, a Supervisor with the Vigo County Drug Task Force, wage committee chairman, and as a team leader for the Vigo County Drone Team. Chief Palmer has recently joined the Vigo County Honor Guard Team. Most recently Chief Palmer served as Lieutenant of Criminal Investigations, prior to his appointment to Chief.

Chief Palmer is an active member of the community. He previously served on the Vigo County Fair Board. He has previously participated in “Bigs with Badges” for Big Brother Big Sister. Palmer has been a member of Kids Hope. He participates in shop with a cop every December. Chief Palmer is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 85.

Chief Steve Meng

Chief Deputy Stephen Meng has served the citizens of Vigo County since 1994.

Chief Meng began his career with the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Officer serving in that capacity from 1994 to 1998. He served as an officer, as well as being promoted to supervisor during his employment in the jail.

In 1998 he was hired as a Merit Deputy by former Sheriff Bill Harris. He thoroughly enjoyed working the patrol division, and stayed in that capacity for 20 years.

In 2019, he was appointed Chief Deputy by Sheriff Plasse. 

As Chief Deputy, he oversees the patrol division, the jail/custody division, juvenile center operations, as well as the fleet vehicle maintenance.

Chief Meng has also been heavily involved with the Terre Haute Junior Police Academy since 2006, participating in over 50 academies.

Chief Meng has received several awards and commendations over his almost three decade career serving the citizens of Vigo County.

Steve is a Christian, a husband, father, and grandfather.