Garrett Schmaltz Named Police Officer of the Year at Homecoming Festival

A well-deserved honor.

Photo by Dillsboro Police.

(Dillsboro, Ind.) - The Dillsboro Homecoming Festival got underway on Wednesday night. 

As part of the festivities, Dillsboro Police Officer Garrett Schmaltz was named the Police Officer of the Year. 

Schmaltz, a lifelong resident of Dillsboro, started his career in law enforcement with the Greendale Police Department in October of 2011. In 2018, he moved to the Lawrenceburg Police Department. 

In receiving the award on Wednesday, three incidents were cited demonstrating what kind of officer Schmaltz is. 

In August 2019, Officer Schmaltz was part of a team that responded to a shooting at a local establishment. The incident required officers to secure the crime scene and locate the suspect and his vehicle at a separate location. Working collaboratively with his colleagues, Officer Schmaltz helped bring the situation to a peaceful resolution and supported a thorough investigation.

On October 24, 2020, Officer Schmaltz was the first to respond to a domestic violence call at Summit Pointe Apartments. Upon arrival, he encountered a naked man armed with a knife. Demonstrating courage and composure, Officer Schmaltz issued verbal commands for the suspect to drop the weapon. When the suspect charged, Officer Schmaltz was forced to act in defense of himself and others. It was later determined that the suspect had fatally injured his girlfriend prior to police arrival.

On March 2, 2024, Officer Schmaltz responded to a reported robbery at Hollywood Casino, where it was initially believed the suspect had taken a hostage. Working alongside fellow officers, he helped coordinate the response. The suspect was eventually located and taken into custody. While on scene, Officer Schmaltz worked with the Indiana Gaming Commission and provided real-time updates on the suspect’s description and last known direction of travel.

Officer Schmaltz has continued to grow in both patrol and investigative roles. In January 2025, he was assigned to assist the Lawrenceburg Police Department’s Detective Division with active cases. In May 2025, he was appointed Sergeant Detective, recognizing his leadership skills and investigative expertise.