Tyler grew up on the south side of Muncie and is a graduate of
Muncie Central High School. He served as a Line Captain for the Muncie Fire Department before retiring after 42 years of service. On January 4, 2006, he was sworn into office as a member of the
Indiana House of Representatives, elected as the
Democratic Party candidate. He represented District 34 for six years. Tyler served on committees that focused on veteran's affairs, public safety, employment labor, pensions, roads, transportation, autism, and government reform. During his tenure in the House, Tyler was an advocate for victims of violent crimes, introducing legislation that in the absence of a will, no share of a deceased person's estate should go to a parent convicted of killing the other parent. Tyler resigned from the Legislature in December 2011 to assume the duties of Mayor, effective January 1, 2012. Tyler and his administration re-opened two fire stations, consolidated animal control, re-initiated summer programming in the parks, graded more than 30 lane miles of roads and 70 alleys, presented more than 50 proclamations, received almost $8 million in grants, and announced nearly 100 new jobs and over $3.2 million in new payroll, representing over $30 million in new capital investment. Tyler has been active in many community organizations, including
United Way, the
Knights of Pythias, and the
Fraternal Order of Eagles. He has been the Chairman of the Labor and Industry Board of the
NAACP since 2010. Tyler did not run for re-election in 2019, and at year-end was succeeded by Republican Dan Ridenour, a member of the Muncie City Council and financial officer. == Arrest ==