Lyon County Detective Sergeant Jacob Welsh is taking on new duties in a different department soon.
Welsh has been appointed as Chase County’s new sheriff, following the announcement current sheriff Richard Dorneker is retiring after nearly 30 years in the department and the last 18 as sheriff. Welsh has been a deputy in Lyon County for 12 years, first under Gary Eichorn and now under Jeff Cope.
Before joining the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office in 2010, Welsh was a police officer in Topeka. He wants to learn from his new employees and also Chase County residents about what they want and need from law enforcement moving forward. He’s also watching several concerning trends when it comes to law enforcement, notably violence in and near schools.
Welsh will serve Dorneker’s unexpired term. He is up for election in 2024.
12:15 pm Wednesday: Longtime Lyon County deputy Welsh appointed as Chase County sheriff
A fixture in Lyon County law enforcement will now be the lead law enforcement official in Chase County.
Jacob Welsh, a deputy with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office since 2010, was appointed as Chase County sheriff Monday by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly after the lengthy tenure of Richard Dorneker. Welsh’s appointment follows meetings of the Chase County Republican Central Committee to nominate Dorneker’s successor. Lyon County Judge Jeff Larson will swear Welsh into his new role at a special meeting Sept. 1.
Dorneker served Chase County for 28 years, including the last 18 as sheriff.
Welsh started his law enforcement career as a police officer in Topeka. He is currently a Detective Sergeant with Lyon County. He thanked the Republican Central Committee and Governor Kelly for their faith in him. He also recognized Dorneker for his longstanding service to Chase County.
Welsh and his wife, Ashley, an elementary school teacher in USD 284 Chase County, have two children.
