OSCAR MARTINEZ, SHERIFF

Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. is a lifelong resident of Lake County, Indiana. He was born in Gary and raised in East Chicago, Indiana. Oscar currently lives in St. John, Indiana with his wife of 25 years (married 1994), Melissa, and their 3 children: Alyssa 25, Amanda 23, and Oscar Martinez III 20.

Sheriff Martinez attended Washington High School and graduated from Central High School in 1989.  He graduated from Robert Morris University in Chicago, IL with a degree in Computerized Business and Accounting. In 2007, he completed Northwestern University Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command Course in Lansing, IL.

Graduating from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1993,

Sheriff Martinez is a more than 25-year veteran of the Lake County Sheriff's Department. He began his service in the Patrol Division and has since worked in multiple divisions of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department; including as an undercover Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Over the years, Oscar has progressed from Patrolman to Corporal to Sergeant to Lieutenant to Deputy

Commander of the Lake County Drug Task Force and was blessed and honored to be elected to the office of Lake County Sheriff in September of 2017.

Oscar Martinez Is Committed To Our Community

He is the President of the St. John Girls Softball League (15 years), the President of the South Town Youth Softball League (10 years) and the former Vice President Lake Central Youth Basketball (5 years). Oscar is also a member of the Quad Town Youth Softball League Program. For the past 25 years he has been an active member of the Lake County Police Union (AFL-CIO) and an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Oscar has received multiple Officer of the Year awards and recognition throughout his career along with specialized training and education.