Sheriff of McCracken announces re-election bid




Today, I wish to publicly announce my candidacy for re-election for the office of McCracken County Sheriff.
 
I want to again thank everyone for their support in the 2006 election as well as during my tenure as McCracken County Sheriff.
 
Since taking office, we have made many improvements in the operation of the sheriff’s office, also making changes in policies, and procedures, which have improved the level of professionalism, and the service we provide to the citizens of Paducah and McCracken County.
 
We have taken much more of a proactive approach to law enforcement compared to being reactive. Our drug enforcement efforts have been relentless and will continue to be over the next four years.
 
We have assigned additional fulltime detectives as well as having more deputies assigned to patrol, thanks to the support and helpfulness of the McCracken Fiscal Court. We have also provided our deputies with the tools necessary for them to do their jobs proficiently; this includes training over and above the state mandated training.
 
Some of the duties of sheriff include:
 
*Law Enforcement duties including: Criminal investigations             
 which would include, assaults, rapes, burglaries, thefts,
 child abuse and elder abuse (physical and sexual),
 murders, etc.
*Drug Enforcement Section
*Traffic Enforcement
*Accident Investigation
*Patrol Section
*Service of court process, subpoena’s, civil process, writs,
 court ordered repossessions, service of Emergency
 Protective Orders, custody orders, warrant for possessions.
*Vehicle Inspections
*Property and Franchise Tax collections, which this past year
 exceeded 30 million dollars.
*Courthouse security
*Courtroom security, providing bailiffs for five judges.
*Service of arrest warrants.
*Process applications for Kentucky’s Carrying Concealed
 Deadly Weapon Permits.
*Serving on the E911 Board.
*Serving on the county election board.
 
The sheriff currently oversees 56 employees, twelve of which are part time and work in the courthouse security section.
 
All sworn staff is trained by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice, but receive additional training opportunities.
 
I have and will continue to make myself available to the public to hear their concerns. I have thoroughly enjoyed my last three years as sheriff.
 
I did file my candidacy papers on November 06, 2009 in the McCracken County Clerks Office.
 
“One of the most unique parts of this job for me has been being in a position that truly makes it possible to make a difference and have a positive impact on people lives.”
 
I want to continue with the improvements we began three years ago. I pledge to continue to maintain my goal in improving the level of professionalism in all aspects of the job we do. Our department motto is: Striving for Excellence, which was  placed on all department patrol cars after being elected in 2006.
 
I am currently 43 years old, and have been married for 24 years to my wife Melissa. We have one son Shawn who is 23 years old.
 
My campaign treasure is Paducah CPA John Halicks.