Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush recently joined five other sheriffs from Indiana and nearly 200 sheriffs from across the country in Washington, D.C. to support secure borders and safe communities. During the two-day event, he met with many state and federal legislators, federal law enforcement agencies, attended an administrative briefing and panel discussions from the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland security, and attended a White House briefing followed by meeting with President Donald Trump.
“It was such an honor to represent Hamilton County and the State of Indiana and discuss issues important community on a national stage,” said Quakenbush. “It was truly humbling to meet with so many leaders who are working hard to keep our nation safe.”
Quakenbush continued, “Keeping Hamilton County safe is my number one priority. The crisis on the border has a real impact on our local communities, neighborhoods and families. Aside from the economic impact, drugs coming into Hamilton County are being supplied through Mexico from drug cartels. Enough fentanyl has been seized at the border, if put into a lethal dose, could kill every U.S. citizen four times. Human trafficking is a significant concern for all of us. Our relationships with lawmakers and federal law enforcement officials is critical to our safety. I am committed to keeping Hamilton County one of the safest in the nation through a cooperative effort.”
Among the officials met with, and panel participants:
- President Donald Trump
- Indiana Senator Mike Braun
- Indiana Senator Todd Young
- Indiana Congressman Greg Pence
- Assistant to the President, Kellyanne Conway
- Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Utamaro Dillon
- Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kevin McAleenan
- State & Local Affairs Coordinator for the Office of Drug Control Policy, Tom Murphy
- Director of Citizenship and Immigration Service Office, Ken Cuccinelli
- Special Assistant to the President, Office of American Innovation, Theo Wold
- Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Joe Grogan
- Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Robert Perez