For the past twenty-eight years, Captain Ross Haynes has had the honor of calling the city of Portage his home. Throughout this time, he and his wife have lived here, raised a family, and welcomed two grandsons.
“Portage is just such a great place,” Captain Haynes said. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else. It has been a wonderful place to raise my family and I’m so glad that we decided to move here… And that we decided to stay here!”
Since 1986, Captain Haynes has been devoted to working in law enforcement. Originally working for Burns Harbor, five years later, Haynes made the switch to the Portage Police Department where he has remained for the past twenty-four years. Currently, Haynes serves as Patrol Captain and SWAT Commander.
Graduating from the FBI Academy with honors, Captain Haynes is one of four officers in the history of the Portage Police Department to graduate from this elite executive course. Haynes is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command, also graduating with honors.
For the past nineteen years, Haynes has had the title of SWAT Commander with the Portage Police Department. In this position, he oversees fourteen police officers and six paramedics/firefighters in cases where there are violent suspects who have barricaded themselves away from the reach of regular uniformed officers.
For the past three years, Haynes has had the honor of being the Patrol Captain for the Portage Police Department. In this position, he is responsible for the uniformed division – all of the uniformed officers that you see in patrol cars on a day-to-day basis. Haynes is in charge of supervising and is in charge of any Internal Affairs business that arises.
“Some people who work in law enforcement may want to do it, but some people are born to do it,” Captain Haynes said. “I had always wanted to help people and to keep them safe. For me, it’s much, much more than just a job. It’s a way of life. It’s a calling. I absolutely love every minute of what I do, and I go home knowing that I’ve really helped someone.”
In his career with law enforcement, Captain Haynes has done many courageous things, including saving three lives by performing CPR. Over the years, he has received many awards for his services, including three Life Saving Awards, two Exceptional Service Awards for running into a fire to save the people trapped inside, and three Honorable Services.
“I just do what I can to help people on a day-to-day basis,” Captain Haynes said. “It’s my calling. I know that this is what I was meant to do with my life, so it’s never really a question when it comes to helping someone else.”
In any spare time he might have, Captain Haynes loves spending time with his family, especially his two grandsons, and staying physically fit so that he can maintain his high level of performance at work.