Jim Heflin
First-term Republican incumbent sheriff running completely unopposed in 2026 — no R primary challenger and no Democrat or independent filed for the general. Won the 2022 R primary by a narrow 52%-48% margin over John Lancaster (now Commission Board President), then defeated two independent candidates in the 2022 general.
The 60-second story
Jim Heflin is the first-term Republican Blackford County Sheriff, running completely unopposed in 2026 — no Republican primary challenger and no Democrat or independent filed for the general election. He is the only candidate for this seat, making the 2026 election a pure formality.
Heflin won the 2022 Republican primary by a narrow margin — 684 votes to 623 (approximately 52% to 48%) — over John Lancaster, who subsequently won a seat on the Blackford County Board of Commissioners and now serves as Commission Board President. Heflin then defeated two independent candidates (Kevin M. Brown and Glenn J. Felver) in the November 2022 general election.
Prior to his election, Heflin served as Chief Deputy in the Blackford County Sheriff's Office and co-commanded the Blackford County Emergency Response Team (E.R.T.), a joint 9-member tactical unit with members from the Sheriff's Office and the Hartford City Police Department. His campaign has credited Jeff Sones and former Sheriff John Lancaster as career mentors.
Quick facts
- Office Sheriff, Blackford County (since January 2023; first term)
- Prior role Chief Deputy, Blackford County Sheriff's Office; E.R.T. Co-Commander
- Office location 0064 N 500 E, Hartford City, IN 47348 · 765-348-0930 ext. 3201
- 2022 R primary Beat John Lancaster 684-623 (52%-48%); Lancaster subsequently became Commissioner Board President
- 2022 general Beat independents Kevin M. Brown and Glenn J. Felver
- 2026 status Completely unopposed — no R primary challenger, no D or independent general opponent
- Campaign Facebook facebook.com/HeflinforSheriff (679 likes)
Three things voters should know
He's the only Blackford County candidate running completely unopposed
Every other contested Blackford County race in 2026 has at least a primary opponent. The sheriff's race has none — no R challenger, no Democrat, no independent. This is notable because the 2022 sheriff's race was one of the more competitive in the county: Heflin barely beat Lancaster in the R primary (52%-48%, a 61-vote margin), then faced two independents in the general. The absence of any 2026 opposition suggests either broad satisfaction with his performance or the difficulty of challenging an incumbent sheriff in a small county.
He beat the man who is now Commission Board President — by 61 votes
Heflin's 2022 R primary opponent was John Lancaster, who lost the sheriff's race 684-623 and subsequently won a seat on the Blackford County Board of Commissioners, where he now serves as Board President. Both men were from the same Sheriff's Office institutional pipeline. The narrow 61-vote margin in 2022 makes Heflin's completely-unopposed status in 2026 all the more striking.
He handled a deputy arrest situation with professional discipline
In late December 2025, Deputy Tyler Wood was arrested by Muncie PD on multiple felony domestic battery charges. Heflin placed Wood on unpaid administrative leave immediately and gave a measured public statement: 'Allegations involving violence are treated with the utmost seriousness... Our responsibility is to ensure accountability, protect the integrity of this office, and maintain the trust and safety of the community we serve.' The incident tested his leadership publicly; his response was professional and drew no criticism.
Biography
James 'Jim' Heflin is the Blackford County Sheriff, serving since January 2023. He is based at the Sheriff's Office at 0064 N 500 E, Hartford City, IN 47348 (phone 765-348-0930 ext. 3201). His full legal name appears in official records as James Heflin.
Before his election, Heflin served as Chief Deputy in the Blackford County Sheriff's Office — the second-in-command position. He also co-commanded the Blackford County Emergency Response Team (E.R.T.), a joint tactical unit consisting of four Sheriff's Office deputies and five Hartford City Police Department officers. The E.R.T. trains several hours per month and responds to high-risk tactical situations across Blackford County. Heflin shared the co-commander role with Hartford City PD's Lt. Daniel Johnson.
His campaign Facebook page (facebook.com/HeflinforSheriff) credits Jeff Sones and former Sheriff John Lancaster as formative mentors in his law-enforcement career. The page, which has 679 likes, describes him as 'an experienced leader who is dedicated to our community.' His education, family background, and professional history beyond law enforcement are not publicly documented in available online sources.
In January 2026, Heflin managed a significant internal-discipline situation when 27-year-old Deputy Tyler M. Wood was arrested by Muncie PD on multiple felony domestic battery charges (Level 3 felony aggravated battery, two Level 6 felonies, and four Class A misdemeanors). Heflin placed Wood on unpaid administrative leave immediately and issued a measured public statement emphasizing accountability and institutional integrity. The incident was covered by WPTA 21Alive, WTHR, and the Hartford City News-Times; Heflin's handling did not generate public criticism.
Career
Memberships & affiliations
Indiana Sheriff's Association (member), Blackford County Community Corrections Advisory Board (ex officio sheriff role)
Prior government service
Where the money came from
$0 raised this cycle · 0 contributions
- Local CFA-4 not in state online system$0