Vision
As sheriff, it is my duty to ensure equal protection for every citizen of Lewis County through transparency, accountability, and professionalism. I will focus on crime, keeping our communities safe, and confronting the drug crisis that is killing our kids and loved ones. I will ensure the Lewis County Sheriff's Office keeps pace with modern technology so our deputies have the tools they need to serve the public efficiently, effectively, and safely. I will lead a well- trained, well-equipped, and properly supervised workforce, supported by the best and brightest administration, establish clear policies and direction, and hold offenders accountable while providing a safe and secure corrections facility for them to serve out their sentences. Together with my team, we will build and maintain partnerships with other law enforcement organizations, volunteer groups, civic leaders, and elected officials to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the LCSO. Leaders should serve by example. As Sheriff, I will lead with humility, integrity, and a servant’s heart. I intend to be visible, approachable, and active in our communities. My leadership team will be dedicated to the safety and security of our citizens while modeling professionalism and ethical behavior at every level. The Office of Sheriff is the People’s Office, and they are whom we serve.
Top Priorities
Administration
I will ensure that the best and brightest individuals serve in my administration, those who share a commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and the highest standards of professional public service. I will select individuals by merit and capability, not campaign promises.
Staffing and Retention
My top priority is employing, retaining and promoting individuals who have a clear understanding of what it means to be a public servant, and have the desire and training that will keep the citizens of Lewis County safe. I will create an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and proud to serve and sacrifice for their community.
Training and Supervision
Professionalism begins with preparation. I will ensure every member of the Sheriff’s Office is properly trained to perform their duties safely, effectively, and with integrity. Strong, capable supervisors and mentors are the backbone of any successful organization, and I will prioritize their development to maintain the highest standards of conduct, communication, and service. Clear policies and procedures will guide our team, ensuring accountability and consistency. I will empower employees to do their jobs with confidence, and support them every step of the way. Because when our deputies are prepared, our communities are protected. I will seek cost effective ways to modernize law enforcement tools and systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, bringing us into the 21st century of law enforcement.
Transparency and Accountability
Transparency builds trust. The public deserves open communication about policies, operations, and significant incidents. I will use press releases, community meetings, and social media to share accurate information and respond honestly to public concerns. I will be available to the public. Accountability means taking responsibility for mistakes and ensuring internal investigations are fair, documented, and, when appropriate, shared in summary form with the public. No one, regardless of position, is above the law.
Volunteerism
I will bring back volunteer programs that engage citizens and strengthen the bond between the community and the Sheriff’s Office. Volunteerism fosters pride, belonging, and shared responsibility in keeping Lewis County safe. It helps to meet our mission by providing force multipliers and keeping costs down.
Collaboration
I am committed to working closely with elected officials, law enforcement agencies, civic leaders, school districts, and non-profit organizations. Together, we can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Sheriff’s Office and better serve the citizens of Lewis County. In a time where budgets are tight, collaboration and teaming up can help reduce operational costs.
Accreditation
Law enforcement accreditation is a voluntary, third-party verification process where agencies demonstrate they meet professional standards for best practices in management, operations, and service delivery, promoting efficiency, accountability, and community trust through rigorous self-assessment and external review.
Accreditation helps ensure law enforcement works the way it should: professionally, responsibly, and in partnership with the community. Accreditation promotes consistent decision-making, reduces preventable errors, and ensures officers are trained and equipped to handle complex situations professionally. For the public, this means greater transparency, fair and equal treatment, and confidence that the agency welcomes oversight and accountability. For deputies, it means clearer expectations, safer working conditions, and better support. This creates a culture of learning, adaptability, and excellence as laws, technology, and community expectations evolve. Because of this, accredited law enforcement agencies are better positioned to keep communities safe, which is why I support it.
Narcotics Enforcement
Illegal drugs are a major contributor to crime, addiction, mental health crises, homelessness, human trafficking, and the loss of lives in our community. Addressing the drug problem in Lewis County requires more than making individual possession arrests—we have to target the organizations responsible for bringing and distributing these drugs in our communities.
I strongly support a dedicated narcotics enforcement team focused on identifying, investigating, disrupting, and dismantling mid- to high-level drug trafficking organizations. As Sheriff, I will reestablish the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office participation in a dedicated narcotics unit and assign personnel and resources to that mission.
These investigations cannot be accomplished effectively by one agency working alone. Drug trafficking organizations do not recognize city or county boundaries. I will work to build strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and combine our personnel, intelligence, technology, and investigative resources to pursue the people supplying illegal drugs throughout Lewis County.
The goal is not simply to make more drug arrests. The goal is to identify where the drugs are coming from, follow the distribution network, build strong cases, seize illegal drugs and proceeds, and dismantle the organizations profiting from addiction and destroying lives.
I have extensive experience supervising complex narcotics investigations and working with multi-agency and federal partners. I know firsthand the value of dedicated investigators who have the time, training, resources, and relationships necessary to conduct these long-term investigations.
As Sheriff, narcotics enforcement will be a priority. I will put personnel back into this mission and actively pursue partnerships that give Lewis County the greatest opportunity to take illegal drugs off our streets and hold traffickers accountable.
Our children and families deserve more than reacting to the consequences of the drug problem. We need to go after its source.
Jail
I will create an environment where employees are safe and feel valued, supported, and proud to serve and sacrifice for their community. I will provide a safe and secure corrections facility for offenders to complete their time. I will support partnerships with trusted organizations that provide effective, evidence-based mental health and substance abuse services for incarcerated individuals; Programs that help individuals become clean and sober and develop the skills needed for successful reintegration, reduce recidivism, and return to our community as productive, law-abiding citizens. I will bring back faith-based and jail mentoring programs.