Investigations Division
Divisions
INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
Beginning in January 2023, the Daviess County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID) underwent a comprehensive restructuring designed to improve operational efficiency, case management, and investigative outcomes. Since that time, the division has continued to evolve through strategic organizational adjustments and deliberate personnel expansion to meet the increasing complexity of criminal investigations.
Through this sustained development, CID now consists of:
• Nine (9) Detectives
• Two (2) Special Deputy Forensic Investigators
• One (1) Special Deputy Arson Investigator
• One (1) Civilian Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Liaison
• One (1) Civilian Administrative Aide
This growth reflects the agency’s commitment to professionalizing investigative functions, enhancing specialization, and ensuring that appropriate resources are dedicated to complex and sensitive cases.
As of December 31, 2025, CID is structured into four specialized units:
• General Investigations Unit
• Forensic Investigations Unit
• Special Investigations Unit
• Cold Case Investigations Unit
The combination of structural reform and specialized personnel has significantly strengthened the division’s ability to conduct thorough, timely, and methodical investigations. These enhancements have improved case clearance efficiency, increased successful prosecutorial outcomes, and expanded stolen property recovery efforts—ultimately providing a higher level of service, transparency, and accountability to the citizens of Daviess County.
GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT:
The General Investigations Unit (GIU) of the Daviess County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division is led by Detective Sergeant Chris Hayes, a 22-year law enforcement veteran, highly decorated investigator, and United States Army veteran. Detective Sergeant Hayes serves as one of the agency’s firearms instructors, BOLA Wrap instructors, Stop Sticks instructors, and Training Officers. He is also a member of the Sniper Team and Dignitary Protection Team and serves as a United States Marshals Service Task Force Officer.
The GIU is primarily responsible for investigating felony offenses occurring within Daviess County. Utilizing advanced technology and proven investigative techniques, the unit focuses on complex and serious crimes, including homicide, robbery, burglary, theft, sexual offenses (adult and juvenile), and major assaults. The unit also assists with evidence detection, collection, preservation, and courtroom presentation to ensure comprehensive case preparation and successful prosecution.
Collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners allows the GIU to leverage specialized resources and expertise when necessary. While misdemeanor offenses and certain felony cases may be investigated by the responding Patrol Deputy, the GIU provides investigative support, oversight, and guidance as appropriate.
In addition to Detective Sergeant Hayes, the unit is comprised of:
• Detective Matt Fitzgerald – A seven-year law enforcement veteran, highly decorated detective, and United States Marine Corps veteran. Detective Fitzgerald serves on the Dignitary Protection Team and assists the Forensic Investigations Unit with selectjuvenile sexual abuse investigations.
• Detective Jacob Stauffer – A seven-year law enforcement veteran and highly decorated detective. Detective Stauffer serves as a Training Officer, a member of the Dignitary Protection Team, and as a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Task Force Officer.
The GIU is further supported by Special Deputy Chris Allen, a United States Navy veteran with specialized experience in insurance-related investigations and arson cases. Special Deputy Allen provides additional expertise and investigative support in fire-related incidents, enhancing the unit’s overall investigative capabilities.
FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS UNIT:
The Forensic Investigations Unit (FIU) of the Daviess County Sheriff's Office is led by Detective Sergeant Kelsey Skaggs, a 12-year law enforcement veteran and highly decorated detective. She serves as a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) instructor and is a member of the agency’s Dignitary Protection Team.
The FIU is responsible for the examination, preservation, and forensic analysis of digital and electronic evidence. The unit conducts forensic extractions and analysis of:
• Mobile phones
• Computers and storage media
• Surveillance recording systems
• Digital cameras and camcorders
• Tablets
• Unmanned aerial systems (drones)
Detective Sergeant Skaggs has earned her Certified Digital Forensic Examiner (CDFE) certificateand is a certified juvenile forensic interviewer. In that capacity, she conducts specialized forensic interviews involving juvenile victims in highly sensitive and complex investigations. In addition to leading the FIU, she oversees the agency’s Evidence Unit and works closely with the General Investigations Unit to ensure proper evidence detection, collection, preservation, chain of custody compliance, and courtroom presentation.
Special Deputy Dr. Cheryl Purdy, who previously directed an earlier version of the unit and has served as a civilian volunteer in law enforcement for more than 22 years, continues to provide subject-matter expertise and investigative assistance as needed. Her contributions have supported numerous significant criminal prosecutions and complex case resolutions.
Special Deputy Tim Allen, who has served as a Special Deputy for the past four years, brings extensive knowledge of computer applications and systems management. He assists with maintaining, updating, and operating the digital forensic infrastructure utilized by the FIU.
Ms. Shannon McLimore serves as a full-time advocate with New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services and acts as a liaison to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office. In this role, she assists victims of domestic violence and sexual assault with navigating the criminal justice process and accessing essential services. Her support includes connecting victims with counseling and therapy resources, emergency shelter, legal assistance, food support, and other community-based services—ensuring a coordinated, victim-centered approach to investigations.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT:
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the Daviess County Sheriff's Office is led by Detective Sergeant Fred Coomes, a 25-year law enforcement veteran and highly decorated detective. Detective Sergeant Coomes conducts community drug awareness and prevention classes and serves as a member of the agency’s Dignitary Protection Team.
The SIU is responsible for investigations requiring specialized knowledge, tactics, and advanced investigative expertise. The unit’s primary mission is conducting county-wide drug investigations; however, it also manages complex and high-profile cases involving organized criminal activity, financial crimes, and other significant offenses.
Through close collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, the SIU leverages regional and federal resources to enhance investigative reach and effectiveness. These partnerships strengthen intelligence-sharing, operational coordination, and prosecutorial outcomes.
The unit maintains two undercover detectives who participate in multiple regional task forces. Their involvement enhances the SIU’s ability to conduct covert operations, develop confidential informants, and support multi-jurisdictional investigations targeting drug trafficking organizations and related criminal enterprises.
COLD CASE INVESTIGATIONS UNIT:
The Cold Case Investigations Unit of the Daviess County Sheriff's Office is led by Detective Mike O’Herron, a 13-year law enforcement veteran and United States Marine Corps veteran. Detective O’Herron brings extensive prior investigative experience to the Criminal Investigations Division (CID), strengthening the agency’s ability to address complex and historically unresolved cases.
The unit is dedicated to reviewing and investigating long-standing unsolved cases, including serious felony offenses that require renewed analysis, advanced investigative techniques, and strategic case reassessment. Utilizing modern forensic advancements, digital evidence review, interagency collaboration, and comprehensive case file audits, the Cold Case Investigations Unit works to identify new leads, re-engage witnesses, and pursue viable prosecutorial avenues.
The establishment and continued development of this specialized unit reflect the agency’s commitment to accountability and justice—regardless of the passage of time. By applying structured case review processes and leveraging evolving investigative resources, the division enhances its ability to resolve previously stalled investigations.
Through strategic restructuring and the addition of experienced personnel, the Criminal Investigations Division is better equipped to conduct thorough, methodical, and efficient investigations—ultimately strengthening public safety and reinforcing community trust.