BRISTOL —
The Indiana State Police say the commander of the agency’s Toll Road post resigned Friday after being questioned about missing funds.
The state police announced Monday that Lt. Dallard Tackett, 58, Nappanee, resigned Friday. Police said the commander of the toll road post in Elkhart County was asked about money from prosecutors’ offices in northern Indiana that was supposed to be sent to Indianapolis.
State police said a preliminary investigation indicates that Tackett may have cashed the checks.
Police officials noted irregularities in the frequency of deferral checks received from prosecutors in several northern Indiana counties. Deferral funds are from fines that go to local counties, and prosecutors have discretion to provide a portion of the fines to state police and other law enforcement agencies. The funds are used for equipment purchases and training of officers, police said.
State employees notified state police supervisors about the irregularities on Thursday and an investigation began. As detectives began their probe Friday, Tackett submitted his resignation, according to state police.
Tackett is a 31-year state police veteran.
State police said the investigation is ongoing and may take several weeks to complete. Preliminary indications are the amount of missing funds could exceed several thousand dollars from at least three counties and could involve up to seven counties, police said.
When the investigation is complete, a county of venue will be determined and information will be given to that county prosecutor for review. That prosecutor will then decide if any further action is appropriate.
The new toll road office opened this year and is at the Elkhart C.R. 17 entrance of the toll road.
Tackett began his career in 1979 at the Fort Wayne post and was assigned to patrol Adams County. He was promoted to corporal in 1983 and to sergeant in 1986. He moved to Nappanee in 1996 and assumed the rank of first sergeant, serving as assistant district commander at the Bremen post.
He was promoted to lieutenant in 1999 and given the command of the toll road post. He recently received a one million mile safe driving award.
The News could not reach Tackett for comment.
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