At 39, Scott Gregerson is just two months into his new role as a jail deputy with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. But the path that brought him to this point has been anything but conventional.
Born and raised in Lyons, a small town just outside of Chicago, Gregerson describes himself as a “country person at heart,” despite his urban upbringing. His journey has taken him through several states — including Wisconsin, Arizona and Florida — before he and his family made the move to Indiana nearly a year ago.
“I was ready to settle down,” Gregerson said. “Coming to such a new place and wanting to raise my family here, I wanted to be a part of the community. So, I think it just spoke to me more and more.”
Gregerson met his wife in Arizona during one of his trips to watch spring training baseball. She was his younger sister’s best friend in college, and the two didn’t start dating until four years after they met. Now, they’re raising four children together, ranging from ages three to eight. Much of Gregerson’s identity is rooted in being a family man.
“I am what I’ve always wanted to be, and that’s a dad. And a husband,” he said. “Ultimately, I’m living the dream of being happy and healthy, raising my kids.”
Before joining the sheriff’s office, Gregerson spent most of his life working in construction. Law enforcement wasn’t something he had considered until he realized how much he wanted to plant roots and give back to the place he now calls home.
His responsibilities as a jail deputy involve three main aspects: general population, intake and master control. In general population, deputies ensure inmates are fed, attend appointments, avoid conflict and stay on track. Intake involves monitoring new inmates for the required 48 hours and managing the steady flow of individuals entering the system. In master control, deputies monitor the facility’s security through cameras, coordinate radio communications and handle calls from the public.
Stress, he admits, comes with the job.
“You’re dealing with part of the human population that is troubled. Nobody wants to deal with law enforcement negatively and I don’t want to mistreat anybody. So it can be stressful in that sense. Not everyone’s happy to be there.”
Despite the challenges, Gregerson has already had a higlighting moment in his career. On April 16, he received a Lifesaver Award from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for his actions earlier that month. Gregerson performed lifesaving measures during a medical emergency at the jail.
When asked about future aspirations, Gregerson said he would love to work for the Department of Natural Resources, though he’s open to where his current department leads him.
“This department offers so much training. I’m just going to kind of jump into whatever they give me and see where that takes me,” he said. “Somebody asked me if I was going to apply for the road deputy position. I told them, ‘I just started this. Let me figure it out.’ I kind of just go where the wind blows, if you can’t tell already.”
Outside of work, Gregerson is an outdoor enthusiast who loves camping and spending time with his kids in nature. The family frequents state parks and enjoys time together outside as much as possible. He also has found community in his church, calling it a central part of his life.
When asked what advice he’d give to someone considering a job like his, Gregerson paused.
“It’s so new to me that I probably wouldn’t feel comfortable speaking on it,” he said. “But if I had to say something — it’s don’t ever be afraid to ask questions. Do the best you can. If it’s not for you, you’ll find out real quick.”
He admits there have been overwhelming moments where he’s questioned the work, not because of doubt, but because of the stakes involved.
“There’s so much going on in every corner of the jail. There’s a schedule you’ve got to keep up with, new people coming in, constant phone calls,” he said. “These are important documents and legal matters. You don’t want to mess those things up for people.”
Still, for Gregerson, the new role is more than just a job. It’s part of something bigger: a chance to build a life rooted in community, service and family.
“This is where I want to be,” he said. “And I want to do it right.”
