Robert K. Byrd, 70, of Chesterton, was sworn in as Winfield’s new town marshal.

He started his work day on Tuesday night after being sworn into his new position at the Winfield Town Council meeting.

“Thank you to everyone. I look forward to serving you and doing the best I can,” Byrd said.

Byrd, whose salary was prorated starting from Tuesday, will receive $95,000 this year; $96,900 in 2026; $98,38 in 2027 and $100,814 in 2028, according to an agreement unanimously approved by the Town Council.

Byrd replaces former Town Marshal Dan Ball who resigned in late January.

Ball was sworn in as Winfield’s first town marshal on Aug. 26, 2014, and was instrumental in starting up the new police department a month later.

Ball was placed on paid administrative leave, then later resigned, following a Jan. 10 meeting with two members of the town council — Councilman Zack Beaver, R-at-large, and Councilman Tim Clayton, R-at-large.

Both Beaver and Clayton have declined to provide additional details on Ball, citing it involved personnel matters.

Detective Corporal Jordan Billups-Taylor assumed Ball’s duties while the town conducted a search for the new police department head, Beaver said.

Beaver and Clayton praised on Tuesday the job of Billups-Taylor, who will return to the position of detective corporal.

“We appreciate you. You kept everything running smoothly. I know it was rocky and we appreciate your professionalism. We’ll always support you,” Beaver said.

“Thank you for all you’ve done,” Clayton said.

Beaver, who serves as Town Council president, said the process to pick a new town marshal was a long process with some 30 individuals applying.

“You (Byrd) were clearly a standout. We are looking forward to your service,” Beaver said.

Following his swearing in by Clerk-Treasurer Michael Lambert, Byrd promised under his leadership safe neighborhoods and safe streets every day.

He also asked for increased community involvement under his leadership.

“We need to partner with residents. The public are the police and the police are the public,” Byrd said.

Several individuals came to view Byrd’s swearing in including his wife, Beth, and his former boss, Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter, who resides in Winfield.

“We’re here to support him. We have an excellent individual for our town. He’s done a fine job. I’m proud to be here,” Carter said.

Byrd is a 50-year law enforcement professional who began his career as a military police officer in the U.S. Army.

A native of Gary, Byrd graduated from Hobart High School with his first job “riding the night ambulance” for Jones and Frum, now Burns Funeral Home.

He graduated from the U.S. Army Military Police Academy in 1974 and has law enforcement related degrees from Calumet College of St. Joseph, Northwestern University and Indiana University.

His professional experience includes most recently working for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office in Crown Point as investigator in the felony division and as proprietor of the RBI Group and public and safety and security consulting.

Byrd also served as: interim police chief for the Chesterton Police Department; chief of police for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Chief of Police, past president and spokesperson for the Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force, past chief deputy coroner at the Porter County Coroner’s Office, officer in the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, and performed contract consulting services for P4 Security Solutions in Downers Grove, Illinois and Resource Management Associates in Tinley Park, Illinois.

“I’ve done a lot of public safety,” Byrd said.

Byrd said the Winfield Police Department will soon move into new headquarters across the street from the Winfield Municipal Complex on Randolph Street. The department is also looking in the future to change its status from marshal based to municipal based.

He said although the police department doesn’t currently have a K-9 unit there are neighboring departments who will assist with their K-9 units including Hobart, Lake County Sheriff and Merrillville.

Up until the beginning of the year, the Winfield Police Department had a K-9 named Rak who had been donated by Lakes of the Four Seasons resident Marie Buckingham.

Rak was reportedly taken by his handler, former Sgt. Stephen Garpow, when he resigned from Winfield earlier this year.

Clayton said Rak won’t be returning to the department and is in a safe location although he declined to provide details.

Buckingham, who donated Rak with the condition that he remain with the department, had previously threatened legal action against town officials.

Her attorney couldn’t be reached for comment.

Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.