CANDIDATE PROFILES: Okaloosa County Sheriff

Okaloosa County Sheriff

REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

Who can vote? Registered Republicans in Okaloosa County.

What’s next? Winner faces Cesar Morales (no party affiliation), Robert Thacker (no party affiliation), and Democrat Brian Sparling in the Nov. 2 election.

Larry Ashley

Family:

Lanie Lee Ashley, Anna age 13, Robert age 11, and Ryan age 7.

Place of worship:

First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach

Experience relevant to the office you seek:

Chief Deputy of Sheriff’s Office perations, 2009-present; Major and director of Finance and Administration, 2009; Major and director of Field Services Division, 2008-2009; Major and director of Support Services Division, 2007-2008; Major and director of Criminal Investigations Division, 2004-2007; Captain of Field Services, 2001-2004; Criminal Investigations Division, 1995-2001; K-9/Street Crimes Division, 1991-1995; Uniformed Patrol Division, 1990-1991.

Other education/experience:

Graduate of FBI National Academy, Quantico, VA, 2005; Master’s Degree in Public Administration with emphasis in Management, Troy State University, 1998; Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice; Minor in Forensics, University of Southern Mississippi, 1989; Graduate of Police K-9 Patrol/Detector School, 1991;   Graduate of State Law Enforcement Academy, Okaloosa-Walton Community College, 1990; Florida Department of Law Enforcement Chief Executive Training; 

Thousands of hours of specialized law enforcement and public safety training by state and federal agencies dealing with such things as crisis intervention, computer and intellectual property crime, terrorism, gangs, firearms trafficking, white collar crime, money laundering and drug trafficking.

Reason you are seeking this position:

I have worked toward and trained for serving as sheriff while promoting through the ranks from patrol deputy to chief deputy. Serving under three different sheriffs, I have gained the local insight and experience essential to providing a high level of public safety. I want to ensure that Okaloosa County remains a safe and highly desirable place to live for my children and family. There is no more qualified and committed person for the job.

Biggest issue this position faces and how you plan to address it:

Government agencies, including the sheriff’s office, will continue to struggle with the declining economy as they attempt to maintain necessary services. As sheriff, I will enhance efficiency and cut cost by consolidating services, focusing on establishing economies of scale by unifying all public safety communications and fleet maintenance services. I will also continue taking our agency toward a paperless environment, which will reduce document storage and maintenance costs. Consolidation is efficient and cost effective.

Rick Hord

Family:

Wife, Christie (married 10 years); children, Mattie (6) and Annie Mae (2)

Place of worship:

St Simon’s on the Sound Episcopal Church, Fort Walton Beach. I have served several years on the Outreach Commission, including three years as chairman, and a three-year term (ended December 2009) on the church Vestry.

Experience relevant to the office you seek:

 I have 35-plus years of community, civic and church involvement in Okaloosa County, including many leadership positions. I worked in the private sector 15 years, during which time I became an unpaid volunteer officer with the Florida Marine Patrol Auxiliary, advancing to the rank of Major, in charge of the Auxiliary program for Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties. Since 1989, I have been full-time with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Until early 2005, I served as Public Information Officer. Since that time, I have served as desk sergeant, followed by three years as supervisor of court security for the courthouse in Crestview and the Annex in Shalimar. For the past two years, I have been a Field Services supervisor of deputies on a patrol shift. Two-time winner of the “Public Image Award” for Florida Law Enforcement. 

Other education/experience:

 BS, Communications, Florida State University. Master of Public Administration, Troy State University; graduate of Class-4, Florida Leadership Academy. Certified NRA personal protection instructor. I am also a certified law enforcement instructor, and am an active teacher for the Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Academy at Northwest Florida State College, having trained approximately 480 prospective law enforcement officers. I am consulted as a “Subject Matter Expert” by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, and I helped re-write the textbook currently used in every Law Enforcement Recruit Academy in Florida. I am also the author of more than 100 published columns and articles on law enforcement, personal protection, crime prevention and public safety topics.

Reason you are seeking this position:

The sheriff is a role model. The deputies who protect and serve you will reflect the attitude of the role model you elect for them. I take very seriously the responsibility of being someone you depend on. I believe in leadership by example and management by walking around. I believe in rallying the many forces of progress in our community to work together. I believe in honesty, open-mindedness, flexibility, pragmatism and  perseverance.

Biggest issue this position faces and how you plan to address it:

Public Trust. I’ll implement two immediate reforms to restore and protect public trust. I’ll form a citizens advisory panel, and I’ll appoint the Clerk of Courts to function as my Finance and Payroll officer. The clerk is already doing those jobs for all county departments, and for the Okaloosa Supervisor of Elections. This would create a new check-and-balance system, and make it easier for county commissioners and citizens to keep track of the taxpayers money.

Ron Livingston

Family:

Married to Karla; three children Alex, Zack and Cole

Place of worship:

Methodist, First United Methodist Church of Crestview

Experience relevant to the office you seek:

I have been with the Florida Highway Patrol for 19 years. I'm currently a district supervisor.

Other education/experience:

Multiple hours of supervisory training, law enforcement training. Involved in several different task forces at the state and federal level.

columns and articles on law enforcement, personal protection, crime prevention and public safety topics.

Reason you are seeking this position:

I want to bring my years of experience to work for you. I will bring ethical leadership back to your sheriff's office. I will be a sheriff for the entire county, not focusing on one portion more than the other. I will bring a conservative position to the office, by cutting the wasteful spending without compromising the public safety efforts. I will not only support, but will fund the school resource program. We have to make sure our children are safe while they receive the education they deserve.

Biggest issue this position faces and how you plan to address it:

We have to put the past behind us, and focus on the citizens of this county. I will work day and night to restore the honor and dignity back into the administration. I will make sure that the deputies receive the training they deserve, along with the equipment they need to perform their jobs properly. The budget is a big issue and we need someone that is willing to face the Okaloosa County Commission, and figure where we can cut costs and stop duplications within our government. I am that person. I will be honored to have your vote on August 24!

Steven Menchel

Family:

Wife Vivian, daughter Amy, grandson Blake and son-in law Jeff.

Experience relevant to the office you seek:

Retired senior executive level manager/Federal Agent, with over 38 years of progressive law enforcement experience. During those 38 years, 24 were served in a variety of management positions. The last two Executive Level Management positions included: Deputy director of Covert Operations Division, U.S. Customs, Washington D.C.  In this assignment I managed all undercover operations worldwide and had an operating budget of $100 million dollars.Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Houston, Texas, Office of Homeland Security. In this assignment I managed the following Divisions: Training, Intelligence, Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Special Response Team.

Other education/experience:

 My 38 years of law enforcement experience coupled with 24 years as a senior level manager gives me a unique perspective. I have worked from a street level law enforcement officer up through the ranks and have supervised units from narcotics enforcement, child exploitation, trading with the enemy and undercover task force operations. My assignments have taken me around the world and have given me a vast amount of experience and insights into the operations of other agencies.

Reason you are seeking this position:

The tragic death of three deputies, the arrest of the sheriff and the ongoing corruption within the sheriff’s office made me frustrated. With my 38 years of law enforcement and management experience I decided “The Status Quo Has to Go.” I entered this race to give the fine men and women of the sheriff’s office and the citizens of Okaloosa County a sheriff they can all be proud of…we all deserve better!

Biggest issue this position faces and how you plan to address it:

Corruption - I will conduct investigations and take necessary action to bring closure to the corruption plaguing the department so that we can move forward.

Budget: I will bring Local/State/Federal agencies together to form task forces and work jointly in enforcement, training, intelligence gathering and grant research; just to name a few. These joint efforts will assist in cutting agency cost while increasing the level of service provided throughout the county.

Bill Patterson 

Family:

Wife, Tammy L. Patterson; children, Mark W. Paterson and Sonya L. Patterson

Place of worship:

1st Baptist Church of Ft Walton Beach

Experience relevant to the office you seek:

I bring to the Office of Sheriff of Okaloosa County an extensive background and a long history of service to my country. Enlisting in the USAF after graduation from high school May 1961, I proudly served my country until my retirement 1st September, 1989. I rose quickly through the ranks in the Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) Corps receiving extensive training and schooling. Also in management and logistics training I lead men and women engaged in the life threatening job of defending the nation. Logging 350 combat missions in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia on AC-130 gunships as an aircrew member in a fighting environment provided the basis for calm response under fire. Schooled in plans and management I was called upon to document lessons learned in training and doctrine manuals for training of the next generation of young warriors. Prior to retirement, I was assigned as the Superintendent of Resource Plans for the 374 Tactical Airlift Wing; Clark AFB, Philippines with authority over the Pacific Theater of Operations. My orders were to clean up organizational, social, and physical barriers interfering with the smooth function of the organization. My military career is well documented, with numerous General Officer endorsements as to my dedication to duty, honor and country as well as my ability to make complex organizations work well even under the high stress conditions of armed conflict. After my retirement I continued my response to the call to duty and my interest in law enforcement through continued education, public service and political office. The diversity of skills, training, and education provide a unique opportunity for me to serve my friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens in Okaloosa County as sheriff in this time of disruption. My goal is to provide the strong organizational leadership I have and work ourselves out of the current environment by restoring the people’s confidence in their local law enforcement. I will always be integrating the law enforcement elements in OCSO into an advanced and functioning service that the citizens can be proud of.       

Other education/experience:

BS in Industrial Management, Troy State; ASS Logistics Management, Community College of the Air Force; ASS Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force Management; Associates of Science in Criminal Justice, Okaloosa-Walton Community College; Fla. Law Enforcement Police Standards; Fla. Law Enforcement Corrections Standards; Expert qualification: multiple firearms.

Membership: Life member of the Air Force Association; life member of the National Rifle Association; Florida Sport Shooters Association; lifetime Member Spectre Association; lifetime member Fort Walton beach Chamber of Commerce; Air Commando Association; lifetime member Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Recent Experience:Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Posse (4 ½ years); FWB City Council (2003-2007 /2009-2010), Mayor Pro-Tiem; West Florida Regional Planning Council; chairman: Board of Directors Okaloosa Gas; Northwest Florida Fair Association Board of Directors.

After feeling uneasy with the structure of the law enforcement in Okaloosa County, and feeling the call of duty, I have spent the last year and a half traveling among my fellow citizens in Okaloosa County to discover the sources of discontent. The level of dissatisfaction expressed with then Sheriff Charlie Morris’, (now the current administration), lead me to organize an official campaign for the Office of Sheriff of Okaloosa County. Working with friends and concerned citizens the Bill Patterson Campaign was uniquely democratic in today’s environment. In place of the $7846.56 filing fee, the campaign solicited and received signed and validate petition from over 1,400 voters in Okaloosa County expressing their desire to see me run for the office.  (In 2008 I was the only candidate placed on the ballot by the voters.)  Determined to serve the people rather than special interest groups, my campaign staff and I garnered support throughout the county by traveling north to south and east to west speaking at church banquets, club meeting, and other small get together throughout the county.

     On very limited funding, I was able to register 38% of the vote in the Aug 2008 contest for Sheriff of Okaloosa County giving the incumbent strong competition high lighting many problems and focusing the citizenry on problems in the Sheriff’s Office.  Continuing to feel the call of duty and having the desire to represent the common citizen against special interest, I campaigned for and was elected to a seat on the Fort Walton Beach City Council seat #6 in April 2009.  The recent disclosure and validation of the concerns expressed by the citizenry during the Sheriff’s race in the fall has resulted in numerous calls from my supporters to stand up and offer to lead the Sheriff’s Office to a future re-instilling the respect and confidence of the people in their local law enforcement.

Reason you are seeking this position:

The people of Okaloosa County deserve better. We have seen the abuse of power in the sheriff’s office of past and today, has lead to arrests for criminal actions on several key individuals with more to possibly come. With ballooning budgets, I felt it time we do a line-by-line analysis. It is time to return honesty and integrity combined with fiscal responsibility to the sheriff’s office. 

Biggest issue this position faces and how you plan to address it:

     Okaloosa County, like most everywhere else, is facing long term economic decline.  The local tourist economy is very vulnerable to economic decline in the rest of the country and is now suffering further from all the publicity about the Gulf Oil spill.  The task of providing high quality, affordable law enforcement service to the county under these pressures while nurturing a high degree of professionalism in the deputy ranks is the challenge.

     I am focused on a functional audit of the budget to disclose what the taxpayer’s dollar buys them.  We all know that the recent sheriff’s budget was subjected to a forensic audit. The goal of this audit was a criminal investigation; not an analysis of what the money is being spent on or what service it provides.  This is the role of a functional audit. I propose to work toward much more public visibility in the budget process so that the public will have a better understanding of cost.            

Tony Taylor

Family:

Lilia Taylor (wife); Deanna Prichard (daughter), Matt Prichard (son in law); Taylor (grandson); Grayson (grandson); To be named (grandson on the way); Heather Hamlin (daughter), Derek Hamlin (son in law); Tony Taylor Jr. (son).                                                                                                                          

Place of worship:                                     

Hollywood Boulevard Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach

Experience relevant to the office you seek:       

In short, I have over 33 years experience in local law enforcement, having served my entire career with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department. I have prepared myself my entire career to lead a law enforcement agency. I have a broad range of extensive training and experience in law enforcement field work and administrative work; in that I have worked in virtually every capacity my agency has had to offer; patrol officer, detective, narcotics investigator, crime scene and evidence, administrative sergeant, division commander, et al. I worked my way up through each and every rank in the agency, testing and competing with other officers for each position. I have held the ranks of senior officer (now referred to as corporal), sergeant, lieutenant and captain (the highest rank possible without being appointed the chief of police or being elected sheriff). I have supervised and led local law enforcement officers for over 23 years. I have experience in supervising a multi-jurisdictional drug task force (C2), which was comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement officers. As a captain (division commander) I commanded a patrol division for approximately nine years and the support services division for over two years. I have extensive experience in writing, justifying and administering multi-million dollar budgets, and in securing and managing federal grants. I am the most experienced and well-rounded candidate in this election.

Other education/experience:                

Graduated from Fort Walton Beach Christian High School in 1976; graduated with honors from Troy State University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, minor in Business Administration; graduated from the 193rd session of the FBI National Academy; clinical forensic psychology; Media Relations for the Law Enforcement Executive; Hate Crime in a Multi-cultural Society; Deadly Force Management; Fitness in Law Enforcement; Human Behavior in Organizations; Overview of Forensic Science for Police Administrators and Managers; Legal Issues for Command Level Officers; received hundreds of hours in advanced law enforcement management training; received thousands of hours in advanced training in various law enforcement disciplines

Reason you are seeking this position:

Okaloosa County needs healing from the events of the past year and a half. I have dedicated my entire adult life to the public service of the citizens of this community. I have been a good and faithful servant. I have the tested and proven ability on all levels of law enforcement to move the sheriff’s department forward starting day one. I am a consummate professional. The citizens of Okaloosa County deserve no less.

  Biggest issue this position faces and how you plan to address it:

The biggest issue facing the new sheriff is the restoration of the trust and confidence of the citizens of Okaloosa County and the members of the agency in the administration of the sheriff’s department. I will begin this process by appointing a command staff of accomplished professionals; taking immediate definitive measures to provide absolute closure to the darkest hour in the agency’s history and addressing significant deficiencies in the agency’s financial accountability and officer training.