After 22 years in law enforcement along with other forms of public service, Jerry Daniels has filed to run for Sheriff of Allen County.
He currently serves as an Allen County commissioner.
Daniels joined the Army at 17, serving in Desert Storm. He became a police officer in 1991.
Daniels was a member of the Kansas Highway Patrol from 1994 to 2010, and later an EMS helicopter pilot.
He served as undersheriff for one year, and has been a county commissioner since 2015.
When asked why he was running, he said “It’s time for a change.”
Some specific changes he is interested in making include salary increases for new law enforcement (within the current budget structure), along with increased staffing.
Daniels said he also wants to implement a command structure where deputies hold ranks and shift supervisors are designated.
He also said he wants the Sheriff’s department to become “more open to the public,” since “it’s all about customer service.”
“I know my county,” Daniels said, and “I think I’ve got a view of the big picture.”
“I’ve always been an officer at heart.”
The filing sets up an Aug. 4 primary race against incumbent Sheriff Bryan Murphy, who is seeking his third four-year term in office.
BRUCE SYMES, fellow county commissioner, filed to keep his commission seat.
He represents District 3, which covers all but the northeast quadrant of Iola. He also represents South Iola Township.
Symes was voted into office in 2018 to fill the unexpired term of former commissioner Jim Talkington.
He is the writing center coordinator at Allen Community College and is a former Register reporter.
