Gary S. Germann
A Commitment to Community and Innovation
Gary Germann has dedicated his career to serving the people of Porter County with integrity, experience, and compassion. A former police officer, defense attorney, and now Prosecutor, Gary brings a unique perspective to the courtroom, one rooted in fairness, accountability, and a deep understanding of the law from all sides. First elected in 1978 and returning to the office in 2019, he has led efforts to modernize the Prosecutor’s Office, expand problem-solving courts, and build a team focused on justice, not politics.
Under Gary’s leadership, the office has launched innovative programs to support addiction recovery, mental health treatment, and victim advocacy, reducing recidivism while protecting public safety. A lifelong Hoosier, Gary has lived in Porter County since 1970. He and his wife Beth raised four children here and now enjoy time with their nine grandchildren. Gary believes in leading by example and remains committed to building a safer, stronger community for all.
Gary’s approach to prosecution centers on smart justice: holding violent offenders accountable while offering second chances to nonviolent individuals who are ready to change. He has been a key supporter of restoration court and drug court, and he plays an active role in veterans court—a program he deeply values for its focus on restoring dignity to those who served. He also champions in-jail therapeutic programs that have significantly reduced recidivism, and his office has worked to create “soft spaces” in the courthouse for victims of violence and trauma.
What sets Gary apart is not just his experience—it’s his values. He believes the Prosecutor’s Office should be professional, ethical, and independent of partisan politics. When he returned to office, it was to repair a fractured system and restore public confidence. Today, he continues to lead with humility, principle, and the belief that public safety starts with public trust.
Outside of the courtroom, Gary is an active member of the Grace Point Church in Valparaiso and serves as the Community Lay Director for the Indiana Dunes Great Banquet, a non-denominational Christian community focused on service, faith, and leadership development. He has served on local civic boards and regularly volunteers with youth and recovery programs. A lifelong basketball fan, Gary still enjoys playing pickup games at the local YMCA and credits the sport with keeping him grounded, humble, and healthy. He’s also a devoted grandfather, a listener by nature, and someone who believes deeply in the power of second chances—both in life and in law.
I strive to be the best man I can be. To be kind, wise, patient, forgiving, slow to anger, empathetic, caring while recognizing perfection is impossible.