Former IMPD deputy chief announces run for sheriff

Bill Benjamin, a former Indianapolis police deputy chief, announced Tuesday that he will run for Marion County sheriff.

Benjamin, a Democrat who plans to officially kick off his campaign on Thursday, said he was inspired to run for the office after the May 6 shootings that killed Warren Central High School football player Dijon Anderson, 18, and Angel Mejia-Alfaro, 17.

"I felt the sheriff's department could do more to assist the mayor and IMPD than just being known as jailers and bailiffs," Benjamin said.

Benjamin served 27 years with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and four more with the sheriff's department. He also served as a basketball coach at Arlington High School.

Anderson, Mejia-Alfaro and a 19-year-old were shot shortly after midnight on May 6 in the 5600 block of West 38th Street. Anderson had accepted a scholarship to play football at Southern Illinois University.

Kerry Forestal, a 40-year veteran of the sheriff's department, is also running as a Democrat for the seat that opens when Sheriff John Layton's second term ends in 2019. Layton cannot run for the position for a third term because of term limits.

Forestal, a lieutenant colonel and Layton's executive officer, also served as the U.S. marshal for the Southern District of Indiana from 2010-2015.

For the Republicans, Southport Police Chief Tom Vaughn and Jim Grimes have announced they are running for the sheriff's office.

Call IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @VicRyc.