February 15, 2016 - I am Willis Blackwell, current Sheriff of Shelby County. I am seeking re-election in the Republican Primary. I would first like to thank the voters of Shelby County for electing me a little over 3 years ago to serve this county. It was time for new leadership in law enforcement with honest men and women of integrity. I believe we have achieved that and more. I am proud of all the deputies, investigators, jailers, dispatchers and administrative staff that I currently have. They all have a difficult job to do, but show up every day ready for what comes their way.
I enjoy my job and have done my best to be fair and impartial. Obviously, I cannot make everyone happy. Your last name or size of your wallet does not dictate how we enforce the law. What matters is that we do what is right according to the law. We have tried to treat everyone with respect. It is virtually impossible to focus on one main area of enforcement. But my officers have worked hard on drug traffic and burglaries. With the amount of officers we have available and the enormous amount of calls and situations we have every day, we have tried to do the best we can to answer your calls.
My office has worked well with other agencies such as the Constables, Center Police Dept., DPS, Game Wardens, Timpson PD and Tenaha City Marshal. We also work closely with Crime Stoppers. Their assistance is invaluable. We have implemented a program through our jail that brings students in and allows them to hear inmates describe their life behind bars and what it has done to their family. It has been a very positive program.
Over the past 3 years, we have had more than 30,000 calls for service and recovered and returned over $1M in stolen property. I have managed my budget well, always having money left at year’s end. I have put my deputies in new patrol vehicles without having to ask the commissioner’s court for additional money. I’m very proud of the positive feedback and supportive calls that I have received concerning my re-election.
I am in the office by around 6am every day where my door is always open. This county is my home and has been for 37 years. I have raised my children and grandchildren here. The safety and well-being of the families in this county are my absolute priority. Electing and keeping the right people in office is critical to this. There are many that I have not had the opportunity to get by to see personally, but I still have a job to do. So please know that I have your best interest at heart as I go about my job each day to be a full time Sheriff. If you would like to talk to me, please don’t hesitate to call or come by as I welcome the opportunity to visit with you.
I humbly and respectfully ask for your vote to re-elect me for another 4 years as your Sheriff in the Republican Primary. Early voting is from February 16 thru the 25th. The primary is Tuesday, March 1. I thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
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