Friday, September 7th, was a very important day in Fishers. No, I’m not talking about the Mudsock Football Game between Fishers and HSE High Schools, although that is a big event each year. I’m talking about an official changing of the guard at the Fishers Police Department.
Fishers has had only three people lead its department in the modern era. George Kehl led the police department all the way back to the 1960s as town marshal when Fishers was a small farm community with a population of only a few hundred people. Chief Kehl retired in September of 2016, making way for a new chief, Mitch Thompson. Chief Thompson was involved in an automobile accident in late July, where he faced OWI and other charges. Thompson voluntarily stepped down as chief a few days later.
Mayor Scott Fadness named Ed Gebhart as acting chief once Thompson resigned as chief, then named Gebhart as his choice to permanently take the job of leading the Fishers Police.
Gebhart cited retired Police Chief George Kehl for hiring him in 2000 and giving him his first command position in the department in 2011.
“We will fundamentally hold the safety and security of this city, the safety and the futures of our children and the honor of our officers to the highest standards moving forward,” Gebhart told those attending the event. “That will be our goal moving forward.”
Chief Gebhart was visibly emotional as he thanked those in the department that had helped him along in his career.
Luke Gannon will be the department’s assistant chief and Mike Pederson will command the criminal investigations division.
Mayor Fadness talked about change during his opening remarks and cited Chief Gebhart as an officer that always embraced change when law enforcement is not always persuaded that change is a good thing. “(Chief Gebhart’s) character is unquestionable, his drive is certain, and I have confidence, not only in his abilities, but I think you will see in the caliber and character of the people he has surrounded himself with, to lead this department into its next chapter,’ Fadness said.
