Sheriff’s candidates focus on theft, illegal drugs

— Johnson County Sheriff Jimmy Dorney faces a familiar foe in the May 22 Democratic primary election in Charles “Buddy” Beavers.

Dorney defeated Beavers by 199 votes in a 2006 runoff to win his first term as sheriff. The two Democrats had survived a five-man primary election in which Beavers received 308 more votes thanDorney as the two sought to succeed retiring Sheriff Wes Kendrick.

The lack of a Republican challenger means a primary victory would give Dorney, 45, his fourth term as sheriff.Beavers, 61, said he’s campaigned three times for Johnson County sheriff though he’s yet to win.

Beavers, a retired cattle rancher, spent 11 years as a deputy sheriff, includingserving as a narcotics officer and canine handler, before quitting in 2000. He said he’s confident this year’s election will have a different outcome and believes unseating an in-cumbent is the most challenging aspect of the race.

“I’m trying to make it more about me than about him,” Beavers said.

Dorney said he hopes voters will let him continue leading the sheriff’s office for another two years. He said a sheriff’s success rests largely in the ability of his staff, but having 16 years of active law enforcement experience helps.

“I have current, relevant law enforcement experience,” Dorney said. “I’ve been employed in the sheriff’s office full time since 1996 and worked [my] way up through the ranks.”

Beavers said that while the office has some good deputies, they lack adequate leadership to be able to solve cases. Farmers are especially vulnerable to being victims of thefts by drug addicts who steal to support their habits, he said.

“If you can control the drug problem a little bit, you can control thefts,” he said.

Dorney agrees that theft is one of the three most significant problems facing the county. Burglary and illegal drug use are the two other large challenges, he said, “but everything comes in cycles.”

“It’s something we try our best to keep up on with limited resources,” Dorney said.

Beavers said that if he’selected, he would promote drug prevention education for children, which would help slow other crimes. He also would look for more educational opportunities for deputies, he said.

Dorney said he makes training a priority for his deputies and works to ensure that they stay current on law enforcement trends and technologies as well as changes in the law.

“We’ve been able to keep up with all the changes that occur daily and integrate them with our plan here for the safety and security of the people,” Dorney said.

Beavers said he thinks there are unsolved homicides in the county and believes Dorney isn’t doing enough to solve them.

“I would want to know if anyone of my family or friends were killed, the sheriff was capable of solving it,” Beavers said.

Dorney said he’s aware of one unsolved homicide in the county. Dorney said he has two full-time detectives investigating crimes, including the slaying of Angela D’Andrea, whose remains were found by a fisherman April 9, 2011.

Johnson County sheriffName: Jimmy Dorney Party: Democrat Residency: Hartman Family: SingleIncumbent: Yes Age: 45Employment: Johnson County sheriff’s office Prior political experience: Three terms as Johnson County sheriff, 2006-present Education: Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy; bachelor’s in communications, University of the OzarksMilitary experience: NoneName: Charles “Buddy” Beavers Party: Democrat Residency: Coal Hill Family: Wife, Barbara; three children Employment: Retired farmer Prior political experience: NoneIncumbent: No Age: 61Education: General Educational Development diploma; Arkansas Law Enforcement Training AcademyMilitary experience: None

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 9 on 04/25/2012

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