Sheriff's office announces staffing changes - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter with Deputy Eric Hopkins (middle) and Chief Deputy Jesus Monarrez.

The Dubois County Sheriff’s Office announced some staff changes on Tuesday.

Chief Deputy Chris Faulkenberg officially retired on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. He served the department for 15 years.

Deputy Jesus Monarrez has been promoted to Chief Deputy. Chief Deputy Monarrez is a 10-year employee of the sheriff’s office and former K-9 handler and detective sergeant.

Additionally, the department announced Eric Hopkins will take on duties as the school resource officer for Southeast Dubois County School Corporation. Deputy Hopkins is a 2007 Graduate of Jasper High School. He attended Indiana State University and graduated in 2011 with a Bachelors’s Degree in Criminology. Hopkins then became a Reserve Officer for the Ferdinand Police Department in 2014, was hired full-time in 2015 and graduated the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 2016.

Deputy Hopkins is a physical tactics, ground fighting and taser instructor and is certified through the National Association of School Resource Officers.

Formerly, Hopkins worked as a School Resource Officer for the Pike County School Corporation and coached football for Forest Park High School from 2014-2020.