There will be a Republican primary for Marion County Sheriff.
Andy Garden, who was appointed sheriff following the retirement of Rich Stevenson, received applause when announcing his decision to run at Tuesday night’s county board meeting. He said his decision was made after he attended the funeral of Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Riley.
“It really got me and helped me make up my mind is when we were traveling through the procession from Fairfield to the graveyard in Cisne. Thousands of people lined the street and it got me thinking. We hear all this in the news that we don’t have the support, we have the support here. I’ve been doing this 32 years and I got to thinking that I owe back at this point.”
Garden says he still likes coming to work every day and the comradery with the staff. He joined the Marion County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy in 1989 and has worked his way up to through the ranks as sergeant and lieutenant while also serving as canine officer and in charge of the department’s former special response team. During his 14 years as second in command as lieutenant, Garden has been called upon twice to fill out terms of sheriffs. This will be his first time to seek election.
Garden has set some goals if elected to a four-year term.
“A lot of the goals is just trying to stay ahead of the new laws and legislation. Trying to integrate, we are going to have to look at body cameras and different reporting issues. One of my top priorities is keeping my people and the community safe. Uncertain times on how this new legislation is going to affect crime, our jail, and my employees.”
Garden says Stevenson left the department in good shape and with the good employees the sheriff’s department is running smoothly. He feels he has
developed a good working relationship with the county board who he is working on major improvements to the jail.
Marion County Sheriff’s Sergeant Kevin Cripps announced earlier in the day on Tuesday he was also running as a Republican for sheriff.
