The end of December and 2024 will also mark the end of Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty’s 38 year career in law enforcement. Halferty is retiring after 12 years as Sheriff and 27 years of serving Jasper County residents. He was born and raised in Newton, and began his involvement with law enforcement while in college through an internship at the Newton Police Department. That led to an invitation to test as a Newton Police Officer and his hiring. 

After 11 years as a Newton Police Officer, Halferty was hired as a Jasper County Deputy. He advanced to Chief Deputy, and that led to his election as Sheriff. That was something Halferty said was not on his mind at all when he joined the department.

“I had no intention of running for sheriff. I often tell people it’s different when you have someone next door to report to. I distinctly remember in 2013 coming into this office and not having anyone next door to report to, it was all on me.”

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office will be holding an open to the public retirement celebration with the Halferty family at the Jasper County Fairgrounds in Colfax from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 4th.