Mayor Ferdon swears in 2 new Columbus police officers

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 7:16 AM

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon swore in the newest Columbus Police officers at City Hall on Wednesday morning, December 17.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon swore in the newest Columbus Police officers at City Hall on Wednesday morning, December 17.

Brett Ballenger (CPD 309) graduated from Centerville (Indiana) High School in 2021. He went to Ball State University and majored in natural resources and environmental management. While there, Ballenger found his passion for law enforcement through ride-alongs and job shadows with police departments near Centerville. He added a minor in criminal justice and earned his bachelor’s degree in 2025.

Aaron Harness (CPD 310) graduated from Shelbyville High School in 2006. Before pursuing a career in law enforcement, he worked for 16 years at Ryobi Die Casting and then recently at Toyota Material Handling. Harness obtained his associate’s degree in applied science and industrial technology from Ivy Tech and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Ballenger and Harness will undergo some in-house basic training before heading off to the 15-week Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in early January.

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