Detective Lucas Quinlin never expected himself to be a cop. After being medically retired from the Air Force in 2005, he came back to Indiana knowing he was jobless, knowing he had to do something about it.
So while Quinlin was walking around a Purdue University job fair, he came across the Marion County Sheriff’s booth where they were hiring jail officers.
And that booth changed his life.
Quinlin, the lead investigator for SHS, has been an officer for 18 years, serving 10 of them at Perry Township.
“It’s so wonderful to be part of that process and know that people are depending on you to keep them safe,” Quinlin said. “I love that opportunity.”
In 2001, Quinlin was playing football and attending Grand Rapids Community College, when the Sept. 11 attacks happened. Quinlin said he felt angry that someone would attack the country and
That led him to serve in the Air Force for three years 10 months and 17 days before being medically retired in 2005 following an explosive device injury in 2003 in Iraq. Quinlin suffered a traumatic brain injury that deemed him undeployable. But during his time serving, he received 10 medals, including the Purple Heart, which is the most dear to him.
“I have accommodations, and some other things, but no, nothing like the Purple Heart,” Quinlin said.
After being a jail officer for a little over a year, Quinlin transitioned to being part of the Lafayette police force. He then worked for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and IMPD for brief periods of time before getting hired at Southport Middle as an officer.
He stayed at the middle school for a five years as an officer before transitioning to a year in 2020. He went back to Southport Middle for three years.
While at the middle school in 2017, the head detective position was open and Quinlin applied. But it was not his time and instead got assigned to an associate detective But, in 2024, the position opened up again.
“I just had to wait my time,” Quinlin said.
And after a written application, an oral interview, written probable causes and more, Quinlin finally became head detective for Perry Township.
“I really felt like I accomplished something I’ve been trying to chase,” Quinlin said. “I’ve wanted to be a detective for a long time.”
There are not many school-based detectives in Indiana, so Quinlin’s responsibilities are unique.
He handles misconducts, school threats, fights, handles interviews and investigations. Along with those duties, Quinlin is a part of the Indiana Task Force for Internet Crime Against against Children (ICAC) meaning he handles cases from Perry Township, Johnson County and networks in Boone County.
His wife and business teacher Ashley Quinlin noticed her husband would always take the time to interact with the students and help them understand why they shouldn’t be afraid of the police.
“He used to be the officer here,” Ashley said. “And I think he had a greater impact then because he really liked to actually interact with the kids and get
them to understand policing (and not)be scared of it.”
She gives her full support towards her husband knowing that his job is tough and may put his life and reputation on the line. She always tries to help him whenever she can. Whether it’s letting him have his own space and alone time or catching up on sleep when coming back from a tiring day at work.
She is proud, knowing that her husband is always doing and giving his all, not only for the township and for the community but also for their family.
“He really cares about his work, he cares about the kids, cares about the adults in the township,” Ashley said. “We
have two kids in the township. We wouldn’t put our kids in the township if we didn’t believe in it. I mean, it’s extremely an honor to be his wife and him, be a police officer.”
