In 1976 Lake County Police Major Chris Anton announced his candidacy for Lake County Sheriff. During this period Chris formed the "Anton Boosters." The Boosters were loyal supporters and volunteers who worked feverishly during the 1978 Sheriff's campaign for Chris. The Boosters were ordinary citizens who placed good government first and politics last and were concerned about crime in their neighborhoods.

After Chris suffered a questionable and highly controversial election loss in 1978, the Anton Boosters became even more organized and revitalized. They continued their cause and in 1982 Chris Anton was elected to the office of Lake County Sheriff. Upon assuming office Sheriff Anton appointed John Buncich his Assistant Chief of Police. After Sheriff Chris Anton's untimely death in 1983, John Buncich, with the blessing of Annie Anton and the entire Anton family, kept the ideals and philosophies of the Boosters alive for several years to come.

In 1992 John Buncich, then a veteran Lieutenant with the Lake County Sheriffs Department, announced his candidacy for Sheriff. The "Buncich Boosters," a spin-off of the Anton Boosters was formed. John went on to win the 1994 Sheriff's election. The “Buncich Boosters” remains a strong dedicated group holding to the philosophy that Chris Anton instilled - Good Government first and Politics second!



John Buncich was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. He graduated from Gary Andrean High School in 1964. His parochial school background has instilled in him a love of God, Country, and Family. John currently resides in Lowell, Indiana and is the father of two daughters, one stepson, one stepdaughter, and is the proud grandparent of four grandchildren.

John became a member of the Lake County Sheriff's Department in 1971 and graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1972. During his distinguished career on the Lake County Sheriff's Department, he served in every division within the department, receiving several certificates of training, commendations, and awards. He rose through the ranks and attained the highest possible permanent merit rank of Captain. John also served as Assistant Chief of Police under the late Sheriff Chris Anton. John has gained the resepect of law enforcement officers throughout Lake County because of his proactive and cooperative approach to law enforcement.

Additionally, John served nine terms as President of the Lake County Fraternal Order of Police (Anton Lodge 125). He also served on the Indiana State F.O.P. level as State Public Relations Chairman and State Political Action Committee Chairman, promoting legislation to improve the law enforcement profession. Since 1982, John has held the position of Plan Administrator of the Lake County Pension Fund, responsible for the management of twenty-five million dollars in pension funds for Lake County employees.



John is the past recipient of the Indiana State F.O.P. Chris Anton Award, for dedication to law enforcement and leadership abilities. He is also the recipient of the Indiana State F.O.P. Addie Maddox Award, considered to be the most prestigious law enforcement award in Indiana. John is a dues-paying member of two law enforcement labor union organizations, the Fraternal Order of Police (Anton Lodge 125) and the International Union of Police Association AFL-CIO Local 72.



In 1994 John Buncich was elected Sheriff of Lake County, Indiana and went on to serve two full consecutive terms (1995-2002), the maximum allowed by law. Upon his election in 1994, John became the first active Merit Lake County Police Officer in history to rise through the ranks and become Sheriff.





John continues to maintain an active role in community affairs and freely contributes his time and resources to several youth and senior citizen groups, civic clubs, law enforcement organizations, and the humane society. He also currently serves on the Lake County Sheriffs Merit Board, elected by the rank and file Merit Police Officers.

Fraternal Order of Police Anton Lodge #125 Lake County Police Association AFL/CIO Local #72 International Police Association Retired Police & Firefighters Association of Northwest Indiana

Indiana Sheriffs Association Lifetime Member National Sheriffs Association

Indiana Association Chiefs of Police National Association Chiefs of Police International Association Chiefs of Police

Hammond Franklin D. Roosevelt Democratic Club Hessville Democratic Club Hammond, IN Highland, IN Democratic Club Merrillville/Ross Twp. Democratic Club

American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge #170 Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 2413 Gary Masonic Lodge No. 677, F. & A.M. Gary Sportsmen Club Lifetime Member Hammond Mohawks Athletic & Conservation Club Humane Society of Northwest Indiana Lake Courthouse Foundation Crown Point, IN Maywood Civic Club Hammond, IN Moose Lodge #2437 NAACP - Gary Chapter Northwest Indiana Hummers Club Northwest Indiana Retirees Club Order of AHEPA Chapter No. 78 Urban League of Northwest Indiana

• 1972 - Sworn in as an Officer of the Lake County Sheriff's Department
            - Worked in Patrol Division, Communication Division, Jail Division, and Burglary Unit
• 1977 - Promoted to Corporal
            - Worked in Traffic Division and Detective Bureau
• 1978 - Promoted to Sergeant
            - Worked in the Detective Bureau and Patrol Division
• 1981 - Promoted to Lieutenant
            - Worked in the Patrol Division, Corrections Division, and the Civil Division
• 1983 - Appointed as Deputy Chief of Police
• 1993 - Promoted to Captain
• 1994 - Promoted to Chief

During his previous eight-year tenure as Lake County Sheriff during the years 1995-2002, John Buncich was responsible for numerous new initiatives to help combat crime and enhance public safety. The following is a sampling of his accomplishments during this time.

• Proposed and implemented a pro-active, anti-crime initiative, with emphasis on combating street gangs and illegal drugs.
• Established the first full-time professionally trained Lake County Sheriff's Department Gang Intelligence Unit. This new unit, consisting of twelve Officers, was responsible for identifying, tracking, and apprehending gang members involved in illegal activities. Over 3,000 known gang members within Lake County, Indiana were listed within this unit's database.
• Upgraded every division within the Lake County Sheriff's Department with new computer systems. Implemented the Spillman Records System - a new, cutting-edge computerized record-keeping system for law enforcement agencies. Also oversaw the creation of a common computer interface to allow all police departments within Lake County to quickly share and access law enforcement-related data.
• Oversaw the planning and design of the first Lake County Sheriff's Mobile Command Center. This mobile command center utilizes state-of-the-art communications equipment and technology to help police and other emergency crews respond to emergency situations such as natural disasters, chemical spills, hostage situations, or terrorist activities.
• Working with the Lake County Commissioners and Lake County Council, planned the new construction of the Lake County Jail Expansion Project, which increased the jail to house an additional 300 inmates, with the possibility of further future expansion. This expansion effectively ended the Federally Mandated "Jensen Decree," which had been in effect for 20 years and cost taxpayers approximately $2 million per year in costs related to inmate health and safety violations.
• Established several Senior Citizen information and safety programs, including the Senior Citizens Bracelet Identification Program, which reached over 4,000 Lake County senior citizens during the time John Buncich was Sheriff.
• Worked with Congressman Pete Visclosky and Federal law enforcement agencies to establish the Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, in conjunction with the National Drug Control Policy. This effort brought in millions of dollars in Federal funding to help combat drugs in Lake County.

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