A Closer Look at Candidates for Jefferson County Sheriff
By: Jessica Reyes
Updated: March 1, 2013
"There are two sides to the sheriff's position," says Dale Manuel, Jefferson County Commisioner president. "One is administrative and one is law enforcement."
A quality all three candidates have acquired through different avenues.
Stephen Groh has worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney for 14 years and says he already works closely with the Sheriff's Department
"They call me now at night 2 a.m. when they're on the side of the road asking what they should do," says Stephen Groh, one of the candidates. "I give them some advice and sometimes they follow and sometime they don't follow, but I think if I would be the sheriff I would expect them to follow my advice."
Pete Dougherty is currently the president of the Jefferson County School Board. Through a statement he says "My long and substantial experience in law enforcement, the court system and managing the budget for the board of education would allow me to handle the sheriff's duties."
He also says "But if there's someone more qualified for the position, I wouldn't want to take it from them."
But Louis Brunswick is someone who's already worked in law enforcement and has tried to be sheriff in the past. Brunswick was the police chief in Charles Town and is now the chief bailiff.
"Ever since I was a little boy I always wanted to be a police man," says Louis Brunswick, another candidate. "Once I became a police man it's hard to get it out of your blood, so I've just continued on that law enforcement field."
All candidates say they'd step down from their current job to take on the role as Jefferson County Sheriff.
Jefferson County commissioners hope to have a new sheriff by next Tuesday.


