The County Sheriff’s duties include policing and preventing crime; apprehending and arresting suspects; preserving public peace; enforcing laws and ordinances; executing court orders and warrants; and cooperating with and assisting other law enforcement agencies. Term: Four years, limited to two consecutive terms.
Campaign Phone
575-403-8518
Occupation
Sheriff
Filing County
Quay
mailingaddress
2501 S 3RD ST
mailingcity
TUCUMCARI
mailingzip
88401-4204
mailingstate
NM
I bring over two decades of law enforcement experience serving Quay County, including my time with the Tucumcari Police Department and as Undersheriff before being elected Sheriff. That experience has given me a deep understanding of our community, the challenges we face, and how to lead effectively. As Sheriff, I’ve prioritized professionalism, fiscal responsibility, and modernizing our operations such as implementing Lexipol policy management to ensure we are operating at the highest standard while being accountable to taxpayers.
I have also continued to invest in my own leadership development by attending the National Association of Counties High Performance Leadership Academy and the National Sheriffs’ Institute Leadership Development.
We’ve made significant progress in strengthening policy, training, and accountability, but there is always room to improve. Moving forward, I will continue enhancing transparency, investing in technology, and improving communication within the agency and with the public. I also want to expand leadership development within the department to ensure we are building the next generation of strong, capable deputies.
Like many rural agencies, recruitment and retention remain a challenge. Additionally, we are seeing increasing demands related to mental health calls, substance abuse, and the need for continued training and resources. Balancing these growing responsibilities while maintaining fiscal responsibility is one of our biggest challenges.
I will continue working to make the Quay County Sheriff’s Office a professional and supportive place to work, which helps attract and retain quality deputies. This includes advocating for competitive pay, providing advanced training opportunities, and maintaining strong partnerships with state and local agencies. We will also continue seeking grants and outside resources to ease the burden on local taxpayers while improving services.
Mental health training is critical in modern law enforcement. Deputies should receive Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) and ongoing education on de-escalation techniques, recognizing mental health conditions, and connecting individuals with appropriate services. I will continue to support partnerships with mental health professionals and regional resources so our deputies are better equipped to respond safely and effectively to these situations for both the individual in crisis and our deputies.
