La Porte County Sheriff John T. Boyd announced the recent hiring of a Merit (Patrol) Deputy.Twenty-six year old Deputy Austin R. Epple was born in Indianapolis. He is a 2012 graduate of La Porte High School. Deputy Epple continued his education by attending Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and was a member of the football team. During the summer of 2016, he completed a college accredited internship with the Sheriff’s Office. In December of 2017, Deputy Epple graduated from Loras with a Bachelor of Arts degree while majoring in Criminal Justice.On August 2, 2018, Deputy Epple began his employment with the Sheriff’s Office and began working as a Jail Deputy. On August 31, 2019, he was promoted and transferred to the Merit Division.The hiring of Deputy Epple fills a vacancy within the rank and file of the Merit Division. He is currently enrolled in a basic recruit session at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA). Deputy Epple is scheduled to graduate later this year.