Officer arrested: Ryman accused of sexual misconduct

BRISTOL -- A former town marshal was arrested at home Wednesday on a warrant charging him with three felony counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Gary Ryman, 62, of 705 St. Joseph St., is accused of fondling a girl over the course of a decade, starting when she was 5 years old, according to Elkhart County Detective Kelly Todd.

The victim, now 18, contacted the sheriff's department earlier this year because she feared for the welfare of another small child, Todd said.

Ryman served as a member of the Bristol Police Department for roughly a decade, resigning as marshal in the 1980s over a disagreement with another town official, said current Town Marshal Mike Swallow.

According to The Truth's archives, Ryman served as the Bristol town marshal until 1984. In March of that year, Ryman submitted his resignation to the town board. He was a Bristol officer for 12 years but resigned after months of controversy regarding the police department's budget, according to the story.