Letter to the Editor: Do your homework on the sheriff candidates

Dear Editor,

Now the race is on, and here comes pride in the back stretch. Thanks, George Jones, for singing those lyrics. Pride is a good thing, and we are all proud of our families, our communities, our accomplishments and even our country. But sometimes it can be a bad thing, for instance, bragging pride. 

Let’s talk about the sheriff’s race. Probably the hottest one for many years. I’ve noticed a few bragging posts on Facebook from candidates that I, personally, didn’t care for. One particular post was that of solving an “unsolvable” case that happened many, many years ago. In my opinion, to bring this into the public eye for the family of this individual and also the victims all to brag about an accomplishment is disgusting. Just my opinion.

I’m sure we all have things in our lives that we would just as soon forget and not have to face everyone talking about it all over again. This is definitely one of them. These people did not deserve to have this pop up in their lives again, all for gaining a vote.

Now, neighbors, friends and family, it’s time to “phone a friend.” Haha! This isn’t a game show, more specifically a deputy or detention officer within the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Department. These officers are the individuals who will have to work side by side with the new sheriff and have probably already worked with all of them enough to know who they feel will be the best for them and the department as a whole, the person who will cheer for them in accomplishments, mourn with them in sorrow and be a strong foundation for the department, having their backs at all times. Please talk to these individuals and ask questions about each candidate and who they want to lead them. Most have already made their decision as evidenced by yard signs (and, no, they weren’t promised money, gifts or extra benefits) who they have chosen and want to lead them.

Perhaps consider voting for the individual the deputies want so that we continue to have a solid department. I have spoken to some, and this is what I know as a fact. If a certain candidate is elected, a number of deputies are planning to leave the department. To lose personnel and all the training they have would be a huge detriment to our law enforcement and our county. This could be a very serious problem for the department and all of us, as well.

I also know that one candidate has blocked certain deputies from his Facebook campaign page because they chose to support another candidate. Do you suppose that the deputies will want to work under such a person? I would think not. Does this show unity and support within the department? I don’t think so. It shows childish and immature behavior because they are supporting someone else, which is their right. 

I know that a candidate stated that there would be no hard feelings if he was elected and was not the deputy’s choice. I see evidence that this is already happening. This I don’t know for sure, so maybe only gossip, but a candidate stated that he felt he couldn’t trust the deputies to have his back. Does that mean he will get rid of those that didn’t support his campaign? This could also affect the entire department and the county as a whole.

So I guess what I’m saying is do your homework. Attend the candidate forum on July 8 at the Lovell Community Center. And if you can’t attend, seek out a deputy or detention officer to visit with personally. Ask questions, compare answers and, if you are so inclined, pray about it, because we need the right man for our deputies and the good of Big Horn County Sheriff’s Department and us as county residents. Don’t just look at who has the biggest and best signs, gave out the most goodies and candy at the parade with the best float or who had the best bragging stories on Facebook. Do the right thing for our Sheriff’s Department personnel and support them with who they feel is right for their continued work and protection of all of us.

They all know who that person is.

On a side note, I have had a very negative experience with one of the candidates and would be willing to talk to anyone about it one on one. It just might change your vote.

Coleen Scheeler

Cowley