By MARK NEWMAN Courier staff writer
May 20, 2008 12:46 am
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Editor’s note: Between now and June 3, the Courier will profile candidates in contested area county and statewide races.
BLOOMFIELD — Four men are competing to see who will emerge from the Democratic primary election for Davis County Sheriff. One of the men — Tommy Thompson, Bill Thomas Jr., Jeff Horn or Dave Davis, will face off against Republican Wesley Bales for the law enforcement post during November’s general election. Incumbent Sheriff Monte Harsch did not run for re-election.
Dave Davis
Davis is chief deputy at the sheriff’s office, and feels his experience and education qualify him to be sheriff.
He started in 1997 as a reserve deputy, went full-time in 2000 and was promoted in 2004. He graduated “top 10” of his Iowa Law Enforcement Academy class, has a bachelor’s degree in education from William Penn University. He also is a 1982 graduate of Davis County High School.
“I want to continue to have a professional department,” he said. “I want citizens of Davis County or visitors to our county to feel safe while they’re here.”
He said he takes all crime seriously.
“I want to continue fighting against drugs, and I want people to know if you’re going to commit a crime here in Davis County, our sheriff’s department will investigate thoroughly and if applicable, bring charges.”
Davis said he’ll work with other law enforcement agencies to solve problems cooperatively.
But being sheriff is not just about fighting crime
“I want a department that is community based and has a good rapport with the citizens,” he said, adding he gets support because of “my willingness to treat all people with respect.”
Jeff Horn
Horn also believes in having a good relationship between everyday people and the sheriff’s office.
“We’re all in this together. Why try to squeeze a buck out of the common guy for a muffler ticket? Nowadays, I see a lot of people who all they’re trying to do is avoid law enforcement; and there’s no reason to avoid them. They’re there to help you ... you’re paid a salary to help by the people who pay taxes,” he said. “I want to run for the people.”
In one sense, he said, a lack of experience helps him relate.
“I’ve not been in law enforcement, but a lot of people have wanted me to run. I’m running on common sense and my experience in life,” he said. “I know a lot of people here, I was born and raised here. My family has been in law enforcement; my grandfather was sheriff here for a [long time]. I always wanted to help people, and [being sheriff] would be a good way to do it.”
Part of his way of relating to others is his sense of humor.
In fact, after Horn performed in a parody of a hunting show which is now on the Internet, he said most residents he knows laughed — but at least one resident told the Courier they found the humor offensive.
“I’m not ashamed of humor; it’s acting, not real,” he said of the five-year-old video that is posted on YouTube. “Anybody who knows me [knows] we didn’t do it to hurt anybody; I [just] love to watch people laugh.”
Bill Thomas Jr.
Thomas wants more protection for his county.
“If you’ve got somebody out there patrolling, criminals don’t know where you’re at, and that can help cut down on problems,” he said. “I would like to see 24-hour coverage for the county.”
He’d implement some other changes, too.
“I would like to see the [sheriff’s] reserves brought back into service. I believe the reserves could help serve at sporting events and activities and that would free deputies up to do other things that need to be done,” Thomas said.
He said he has the experience to make the improvements.
“I’ve been a deputy in Davis County for five years, and a reserve for two years before that. I believe I’m qualified for the job,” he said. “We live in Davis County on a century farm; I know the county, and I’m concerned about what goes on in the county.”
Currently, he is police chief in Eldon.
“I like law enforcement, enjoy helping people and keeping the crime down. Eldon’s been good to me, and I enjoy the people of Eldon — but there’s nothing like being in your hometown.”
Tommy Thompson
Thompson vows to give taxpayers their money’s worth if he should be elected.
“Better law enforcement for sure: full-time, around-the-clock law enforcement,” he said. “I give the taxpayers [my assurance] that their money is going to be well spent. [First I’d] help the taxpayers by cutting the amount of overtime being used right now.”
Asked how he could have more patrol hours but pay less overtime, he said he’d work hard.
“That’s where the sheriff should step in and absorb some of that. I don’t believe the sheriff job is an 8-5 position. They’ll always know where to find me,” he said.
Thompson says he finds serving his community rewarding.
“I’ve lived in Davis County all my life. One thing I thrive on is community service for the county. I don’t have some of the qualification of [some candidates], but I’ve had 13 years of working law enforcement as a reserve deputy. I’ve been on a lot of arrests, surveillance, search warrants. I’ve also volunteered seven years as an EMT.”
Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.
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