Area first graders fingerprinted
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Nearly 500 first graders were fingerprinted recently in Ripley County by the Ripley County Sheriff's Department. "We hope we never have to use the information, but in the event a child is lost or kidnapped, it becomes very valuable," noted Captain David Pippin, who is one of the mainstays at the fingerprinting events.

The children are fingerprinted, have their photo taken with a polaroid camera and then parents are presented with an identification kit where they can add physical information about their child, such as height, weight, eye color and more. Parents then have the kit in their possession.

"Our goal is to fingerprint each and every child in the county," noted Sheriff Bill Davison. He said since he's been working with the program he's seen children from two days old up to 16-years-old participate in the program.

Deputies from the sheriff's department not only go to the area schools to fingerprint first graders, they are also at various community events throughout the year such as the Ripley County 4-H Fair and Versailles Pumpkin Show.

While the sheriff was thankful he's never had to use the fingerprinting program to find a child, he said just knowing the information is available is a relief. "These ID kits provide valuable information to an officer that could save time in the event a child is lost or has been abducted," he noted.

Students from Milan, St. Nicholas, St. Louis, Jac-Cen-Del, Batesville, and South Ripley were fingerprinted this year. Capt. Pippin noted that Sunman's first graders did not participate due to the fact they have an ID system of their own involving fingerprinting the children.

Knowing the value of having information immediately at the fingertips, officers are thankful for the private donations that make the program a reality. The sheriff's department has partnered with McDonald's and Schuerman Law Offices for several years and also are able to offer the program through private donations. "Without private donations by citizens and merchants of the county, this program would not be possible," Sheriff Davison concluded. To donate, you can simply send a check to the Ripley County Sheriff's Department, PO Box 686, Versailles, IN 47042 and write KidCare ID in the memo line.

This year Sheriff Davison, Captain Pippin, Lt. Lee Mathews and School Resource Officer Mike Benjamin, along with representatives from the Schuerman Law Offices, June Kieffer of McDonalds, Defane Smith, councilwoman, Versailles Town Marshal David Adams and Cpl. Robert Garcia of the Indiana State Police, helped with the fingerprinting program.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Pictured are officers from the sheriff's department, Captain David Pippin, and School Resource Officer Michael Benjamin fingerprinting first graders at South Ripley Elementary School. In the background standing from left are: Sheriff Bill Davison, Councilwoman Dephane Smith and Versailles Town Marshal David Adams.