About the Mayor

Mayor Fred Armstrong is serving his fourth term as Mayor of Columbus. He is the first Democrat in 12 years to hold the office of Mayor, and is also the first German-Lutheran to ever be elected to that office. Mayor Armstrong was born October 18, 1947 and is a lifelong resident of Columbus, Indiana. He was educated at Columbus High School, Indiana State University, and Indiana University/Purdue University in Columbus. He served in the United States Army from 1967-1969, and is a veteran of Viet Nam, where he earned a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars.

Mayor Armstrong was a Columbus City Police officer from 1969 until his retirement in 1989. He held various ranks in the police department, beginning as a Patrolman up through Captain. During his last seven years in the Police Department, he served as Public Relations Officer.

After retirement from the police department, Mr. Armstrong joined the private sector and worked for Pyramid Paper Company in Columbus as Sales Manager. In 1992 he was elected to the Columbus City Council, where he served until he was elected Mayor.

Kathi Armstrong works for the law firm of Thomasson, Thomasson, and Jackson PC in Columbus. Fred and Kathi were married December 21, 1969. They have two daughters, Shannon and Gretchen, and three granddaughters, Josie, Eleanor (Ellie), and Amelia.

As Mayor, Mr. Armstrong serves on the Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety, presides over the Columbus City Council, is a member of the Economic Development Board, the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, The Heritage Fund Board of Directors, The Community Education Coalition Executive Committee, Columbus Enterprise Development Corporation, Bartholomew County Emergency Planning Committee and Solid Waste Management District. He serves as a member of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) Legislative Committee and represents IACT on the National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy Committee. Former Governor Evan Bayh appointed Mayor Armstrong to the Pension and Disability Fund Advisory Committee was reappointed by Governor O’Bannon in August of 2000. Mayor Armstrong also served on the Indiana Emergency Response Commission under Governor Frank O’Bannon. Mayor Armstrong was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton in August of 1997. In October of 1997 Governor Frank O’Bannon commissioned Mayor Armstrong as a Distinguished Hoosier. This is one of the highest awards given by the State of Indiana. In 2004, Mayor Armstrong received the William R. Laws Human Rights Award from the Columbus Human Rights Commission and was presented the Patriot Award by the Honoring Veterans group. In 2005, Mayor Armstrong was given the distinguished Sagamore of the Wabash Award by Governor Joe Kernan. He is also a member and former elder of St. Peters Lutheran Church, and a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.).

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State of the City Address

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