Decatur County CIT coordinator honored with award

(GREENSBURG, Ind.) – The coordinator of Decatur County’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is being recognized for his efforts. 

Mike Eggleston was named Law Enforcement of the Year by the Greensburg Breakfast Optimist Club on Thursday. 

Eggleston has spent 34 years in local and federal law enforcement and was serving as Jail Commander when he helped develop the CIT program through the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office. 

The CIT is a specialized team of trained officers and special deputies who respond to individuals suffering from mental illness, substance use issues or another crisis. 

Decatur County Sheriff Bill Meyerrose credited Eggleston for bringing positive change to the department. 

“Now that he is leading our Crisis Intervention Team, he is bringing more positive changes to not only the Decatur County Detention Center, but to our community as a whole,” Meyerrose said. 

Some of the positive changes include helping secure a $5M Lilly Endowment grant to start the CIT program, he responds alongside first responders to mental health and substance use crises, provides counseling and recovery programs in the jail, and supports officer wellness initiatives. 

Since officially launching in February, the CIT program has already responded to over 150 calls for service, bringing hope and resources to individuals and families in crisis.

“I appreciate the award, but the work of CIT only happens because of the team I serve with, the leadership of Sheriff Meyerrose and Chief Mike McNealy, and the partnership of the Community Foundation,” Eggleston said. 

Some members of the community who were on-hand for the award presentation included Greensburg Police Chief Mike McNealy, ISP Superintendent Anthony Scott, Greensburg Mayor Joshua Marsh, along with other law enforcement representatives.