David L. Heath

Former Tippecanoe County Sheriff and Lafayette Mayor Dave Heath, 75, died peacefully, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, on February 13, 2023, at IU Arnett Hospital.

Dave’s life began in the same place it ended, in Lafayette, Indiana, on October 9, 1947. David Lynn Heath grew up in Lafayette and Chicago, the son of the late Joseph N. Heath, Sr., a salesman, and Geraldine “Jerry” Heath (nee Hanrahan), a teacher. After losing his father at a young age, he found trusted role models in his two older brothers, the late Joseph N. “Joe” Heath, Jr. and the late John R. “Jack” Heath, and a single mother who championed him throughout his life. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1965 and left there with friends he would keep for a lifetime. The “Old Guys” as he most recently referred to them, still meet annually for a trip to Florida to enjoy golf, sunshine, and friendships that have endured for 60+ years.

On July 29, 1974, he married the love of his life, Kathy (nee Harless) and from then on, they would prove to be inseparable, partners in every sense of the word. Together they had four children: Kelly (Brian) McKinney of West Lafayette, Nikki (Art) Choate, Drew (Tressa) Heath, and Jenn (Aron) Thompson, all of Lafayette. Kathy and his children survive.

Dave knew from an early age he wanted to pursue law enforcement as a career and after attending Ball State University he absconded for the US Air Force where he would serve four years as a medic and earned the rank of Sergeant, and the nickname Doc. Dave was hired as a Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Deputy in 1975 and so began his much-beloved career in law enforcement.

At the Sheriff’s Department, he found his brothers and sisters in arms and rose to the rank of Sergeant, but he had his eyes on the Sheriff’s office. Before turning 40 he would set out on his first political campaign and be elected, winning the race for Sheriff. He served as Tippecanoe County Sheriff from 1987 until 1994 when term limits kept him from seeking a third term. During his 20-year career at the Sheriff’s Department, his accomplishments were many, including the building of a new modernized jail and the installation of the county’s first 911 system. He served as the President of the Indiana Sheriff’s Association in 1994 and brought their annual convention to Lafayette as host. It was a source of great pride for Dave that three of his children, Nikki, Drew, and Jennifer, all served in various capacities at the Sheriff’s Department after his exit. He gained two sons-in-law, Art and Aron, who also served in law enforcement in Tippecanoe County.

As his tenure as Sheriff came to an end, Dave set his sights on the mayor’s office. He again assembled a team of trusted advisors and was elected in 1995, ushering in a new era to Lafayette City Hall. He spent his time in office completing infrastructure projects, digitizing city records, improving Lafayette’s downtown and parks, and setting a blueprint for the future of Lafayette. While in office, Dave served as the President of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. He served two terms as Mayor from 1996 until 2003, deciding not to seek re-election. If you ever wondered why the red metal curly-Q slide still sits, now turned into an art piece, in Lafayette’s Columbian Park, it’s because that was Dave’s favorite slide as a child, and he wanted to see it live on in the new park.

When he left the mayor’s office, he spent time working for the State as the Chairman of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission before making his way back to his Tippecanoe County roots as the Executive Director of Community Corrections. When he finally retired in 2016 there was little doubt, he had touched the Greater Lafayette Community in ways that will live on for generations.

Dave’s most treasured times were spent with family and friends including many beloved summers on Lake Freeman in Monticello and many hours on golf courses across the county. He loved flying and earned his pilot’s license in 1968. He was particularly excited when his son, Drew, also earned his license almost 50 years to the day later. They spent many wonderful afternoons in the air together.

Dave truly had a life that was well lived. Surviving with Kathy and his children are his pride and joy, eleven grandchildren. Katie, Addilyn, and Evelyn Choate; Eleanor, Scarlett, and William McKinney; David, Olivia, and Drew Heath; and Theodore and Penelope Thompson, will proudly carry on the legacy of Papa Dave. Also, surviving is his mother-in-law Barb Harless, eight sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law, and many loved nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Dave will be this Sunday, February 19, 2-6pm, Soller-Baker Funeral Home, Lafayette Chapel 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, February 20, 11:30am, St Mary Cathedral with Father Dennis O’Keeffe officiating. Following the Mass, Internment is at St Mary Cemetery Lafayette.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to two causes close to Dave’s heart: the Indiana Sheriff’s Association (ISA) Career Camp for students wanting to explore a career in law enforcement, https://indianasheriffs.org/donations/ (add in memory of Dave Heath to the note to direct the money to the camp) or Tricia’s Hope Cancer Resources, https://www.triciashope.com/give-help/donate/, a locally funded charity providing financial and emotional support to cancer patients in treatment.