BRAZIL – Southern Indiana auto dealer John Jones on Tuesday was named as a new leader of the non-profit Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch, a 62-acre training retreat for future deputies and at-risk kids statewide.
Jones, the owner of six dealerships in Corydon, Greenville, Salem, and Scottsburg, is the first Indiana business leader named to the Youth Ranch board of directors. Until today, the not-for-profit was led exclusively by current and former sheriffs.
“John Jones was among the very first corporate sponsors who stepped forward to help buy and develop a Youth Ranch where sheriffs and deputies could mentor future law enforcement officers, bond with at-risk kids, and comfort young witnesses and victims of crime,” said former Marion County Sheriff John Layton, ISYR’s founder.
“Mr. Jones understood our vision, he saw the need and he shared our hope for safer kids and better communities,” Layton said Jones is perhaps best known by Indiana law enforcement officers for his John Jones Police Pursuit Vehicles dealership in Salem, which specializes in cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans for police and fire agencies.
Because of its reputation for customer service and competitive pricing, Layton said Jones’s public safety dealership has grown to serve first responders in 33 states.
We are a one-stop shop for municipal and county departments,” Jones said. “Agencies can purchase vehicles and have them up-fitted with decals, lights, and safety equipment at one facility rather than searching out several vendors in several locations. This can save valuable time and tax dollars.”
Since 2018, John Jones Auto Group has been the official family of dealerships for the Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch. Jones is credited for establishing and supporting an annual ISYR truck raffle to provide the not-for-profit with reliable transportation, the utility of a pickup at the training retreat, a steady source of income for youth programming, and a traveling billboard to heighten awareness about the cause. In addition, John Jones makes a donation to the Youth Ranch for every sheriff’s vehicle he sells sold across the state.
“John Jones’ business acumen coupled with his passion to help public safety and kids makes him the ideal first civilian member of our Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch board,” ISYR founder Layton said.
Jones will serve on the all-volunteer ISYR board with Layton, Allen County Sheriff David Gladieux, Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers, Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen, Cass County Sheriff Ed Schroder, Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, Clay County Sheriff Paul Harden, Grant County Sheriff Reggie Nevels, La Porte County Sheriff John Boyd, Putnam County Sheriff Scott Stockton, Ripley County Sheriff Jeff Cumberworth and Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse.
To donate or volunteer, contact ISYR’s executive director by emailing ScottMinier@yahoo.com, phoning 317-460-4242, or write to Scott Minier, c/o Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch, 5325 N. State Road 59, Brazil, IN 47834.
