Tell me a little about yourself.
I was born in Daytona Beach, Florida. I grew up in Dayton, Ohio and I lived out there until 2002. I moved to Nevada in 2002. So, I've been in Nevada for 24 years now. I went to a performing arts high school. I played the cello and double bass. When I graduated from there, I went to culinary school, and I cooked for ten plus years. When I came out to Nevada, I continued to cook. was a wild land firefighter for two years, and in 2005, I was hired by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, and that's how I started my law enforcement career. I've been a volunteer firefighter since 2002. When I lived in Lincoln County, I was the captain of the ladder truck, and then I was the assistant chief for the Panaca Fire Department.
What brought you to Eureka, and when did you move here?
I moved here the end of September of 2020, and I started with the Sheriff's Office, October 5, 2020. I came in as deputy, and I became an acting sergeant, and then I was made a sergeant. They didn't have any sergeant for patrol. I promoted up the lieutenant, and then they made me acting sheriff on November 1st of 2024. And then they appointed me sheriff in April 1st of 2025. I was sworn in as the appointed sheriff in Crescent Valley, and I've looked at the records and I believe I'm the first sheriff that was sworn in in Crescent Valley. So Crescent Valley has a special place for me.
Why do you want to be Sheriff of Eureka County?
It's part of the servant leadership, and I really love the entire county, not just in the town of Eureka, but the entire county. It goes back to being in public safety for so long. I'd always wanted to go out and make a difference. I have started a lot of changes here that I want to continue as the sheriff.
What qualifications and experiences have prepared you to serve as sheriff?
Besides the fire department experience in Panaca, my law enforcement career started as a dispatcher. I was a patrol deputy, then I worked my way up to canine handler. From there, I was on the Eastern Nevada Narcotics Task Force. I've investigated lots and lots of drug crimes. That was my specialty. I learned how to work drug cases. When I came here, I got my first line supervisor certificate from Post. Just recently, I received my management post certificate from Post. As my career has progressed, I've learned how to manage and lead and work with my team. It's not been perfect, but you have to learn as you go along. The management post certificate is the second highest certification that you can get from post.
What do you believe are the most controversial issues within the department, and how will you address them?
I think the top one is hiring and retention. I believe that the citizens and the community of Eureka County expect excellent officers. We're not hiring just anyone to get them in here. I believe that we should have people that give their all. They need to be out there and doing the hard work. The hardest thing has been trying to hire in what I think would be the best. We're not accepting just anyone. There's a background process and we have to make sure that we get the best people out here. Then retaining them is a hard part. We live in rural Nevada and it's hard getting people that come from outside that want to stay here. I'm looking more at hiring within the county. They know the community, they know the people.
What are three top issues facing law enforcement in Eureka and what is your plan to address them?
Housing is one thing, but I’ve talked to people who have come forward with some housing offers. Hiring and retention is another thing. The third one, as part of my strategic plan, is to have our jail open 24/7. I believe that we should be housing our own inmates here. On paper, it looks good to have them stay in other places, but when you work in, over time for transports, wearing tear on vehicles, then court appearances. I believe that we should have our jail facility reopened.
Relationships are an important part of life in general, but relationships in law enforcement gets really tricky, especially in a small community. How do you feel you will navigate relationships with the community, the county, and people inside the department while still doing your job as sheriff?
I've learned this from the get go. I have a job to do. Sometimes people do bad things, but they're not bad people. I have to be professional all the time. I might not like what they've done, but I have to work with them. That goes across the board, even if it's not somebody breaking the law. Let's say it's another department, and they've made a decision that I don't agree with. That's okay. We can have a one-on-one conversation. If we can't agree on this subject, it's okay to disagree. I've been mending some of these relationships, well, not some. Almost all the relationships within the county, we've sat down, and we can work through it. They might not like what I've done, but they understand where I'm coming from.
Is there anything you want to add that wasn’t covered in the questions?
I've been in law enforcement for over 21 and a half years. I've been in between dispatch and everything else. I just love Eureka County. Kristen and I have bought a house here and we own our own business, which is one of our dreams. I'm not just here for the job. I'm here for the community. I'm trying to give back to it. We're invested. Yes. I think that's different. We're invested in the community here. And this is our home.
