Vigo County Juvenile Probation Chief Deborah Elliott Kesler has been recognized for her work.
Kesler received the 2024 Founder’s Award on September 5 during the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana annual conference. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of probation.
Kesler has worked as a juvenile probation officer for 42 years, 36 of which as head.
Juvenile Judge Daniel Kelly wrote in the nomination: “Ms. Kesler excels in three distinct areas: her vision, her integrity, and her dedication. Deborah currently leads Vigo County’s participation in the JDAI program, implemented a highly effective truancy program, started a juvenile drug court (the third such program in the state of Indiana), and succeeded with her vision for an effective juvenile diversion program.”
Kesler has also served on the Community Corrections Advisory Board, the Vigo County Detention Center Advisory Board, the Indiana State University Departments of Social Work and Criminology, the Office of the Superintendent of the Vigo County School Corporation, and the Vigo County School Corporation Safety Commission, among others.
She has served as a mentor through Kids Hope USA, the YMCA Board of Directors, taught cycling at ISU & YMCA, United Way Success by 6, and was named a Wabash Valley Women of Influence in 2014. She was named Probation Officer of the Year by the Indiana Correctional Association in 1999 and received the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal from the Sons of the American Revolution in 2000.
