Sheriff hopefuls weigh in on issues

The race for Quay County sheriff is the only contested local campaign for Tuesday’s general election.

Incumbent Sheriff Russell Shafer, a Republican, is running for another term, and Tucumcari police officer Reyes Gonzales, a Democrat, is the challenger.

In Quay County, District 3 commissioner Franklin McCasland, county assessor Janie Hoffman, probate judge Nelda Burson and magistrate judge Timothy J. O’Quinn are unopposed. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The Quay County Sun emailed several questions to the sheriff’s candidates. Below are their responses, which have been lightly edited for style and clarity.

What prompted you to run for election (or re-election)?

Shafer: I did not need any prompting. The Quay County Sheriff’s Office has a great group of deputies who truly want to make a difference in the community we live in, and the support of the citizens we work for in this community has been wonderful. When I ran for sheriff in 2014, I had a goal to provide the citizens of Quay County with quality law-enforcement services and to be available to those in need or distress. This is still the goal, and we continue to try to make Quay County a safe and great community to live in.

Gonzales: I want to make a difference in Quay County. As sheriff of Quay County, I believe I would have the opportunity to get involved with people and become a positive role model for the youth of Quay County.

Are there any real differences in party affiliation as a sheriff, given the nature of the duties?

Shafer: No, the state and federal legislators make the laws. We as officers have sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the constitution and the laws of the state of New Mexico regardless of political affiliation.

Gonzales: I do not believe party affiliation determines the type of sheriff I will be, nor will it affect how the sheriff's office will operate. I will be a sheriff for everyone. I encourage suggestions and ideas from all of the different parts of Quay County.

What is the biggest issue facing the sheriff?

Shafer: The biggest issue facing the sheriff in Quay County is not having the positions to be a 24-hour office along with the distances between the communities that do not have a police force. Making sure a deputy is always available to those in need has and always will be my No. 1 priority.

Gonzales: From my discussions with the citizens across Quay County as well as my personal observation, the biggest issue is involvement and patrol in rural areas of Quay County. Both Tucumcari and Logan have dedicated law-enforcement officers serving their communities. I feel that all citizens in Quay County deserve equal law-enforcement service.

How would you address that issue?

Shafer: What I have done to address this issue is to schedule personnel at peak times when law enforcement is needed the most. When a deputy is not readily available, myself or the undersheriff are. Also, the Quay County Sheriff’s Office has a good working relationship with other local law-enforcement agencies in Quay County and in the surrounding counties. We can reach out to for assistance if needed.

Gonzales: I would have deputies patrol different areas of Quay County and attend functions and sporting activities in San Jon, Logan, House, and Tucumcari. The deputies would be visible and will be available to all Quay County citizens, not just those in Tucumcari. However, there may be other issues I am not aware of, but I am open to listen to all concerns from all citizens of Quay County.

What would you do to assure adequate staffing levels in the sheriff's office?

Shafer: I have worked with the Quay County Board of Commissioners to provide competitive salaries and benefit packages for those seeking a law-enforcement career at the Quay County Sheriff’s Office. I have upgraded equipment by implementing the use of in-car video systems along with body cameras for each deputy and providing up to date equipment and technology in the form of mobile data terminals in the vehicles to stay informed on information from dispatch about incidents going on in the county. I have also concentrated on keeping myself up to date as to what is going on in the county and state so I can be a better leader for the staff of the Sheriff’s Office and sheriff to the citizens of Quay County.

Gonzales: The state of New Mexico as well local governments are always asked to do more with less funding. I would be sure all deputies receive training in the areas they are interested in, but I would also have deputies receive training which would benefit Quay County. I will be actively involved in seeking grants, as well as making sure to receive all the funding possible from the legislatures to ensure the Sheriff's Office is able to meet the needs of all the citizens of Quay County. I will ensure that equipment and vehicles that are purchased in my tenure as sheriff will be necessary and able to travel throughout the county.

What separates you from your opponent?

Shafer: Experience separates me from my opponent. I am a veteran of the United States Navy and I have over 20 years of law-enforcement experience, both here in Quay County and in Norfolk, Virginia. After serving as a deputy at the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office, I returned to Tucumcari. Here, I worked as a misdemeanor court compliance officer, a juvenile detention officer and a deputy before joining the Tucumcari Police Department in 2004. My experience in these different law-enforcement positions has shown me the importance of every police officer, compliance officer and administrator playing their part in creating a safer community together. In 2008, I was promoted to the rank of sergeant at the Tucumcari Police Department and served in that position until being elected the Quay County Sheriff in 2014. Those years of leadership experience helped to prepare me for the role of sheriff. I had several trainings under my belt when I stepped into my role as sheriff, including leadership trainings and an executive management program, and it has been important to me to continue attending trainings and educating myself so that I can be the best leader I can be for my office and my community. I attend the yearly New Mexico Sheriff’s Association Southern Training Conference, where I am able to get training updates, learn about the most effective law-enforcement techniques and gain counsel from other dedicated New Mexico sheriffs. This year, I was elected to the position of Secretary for the New Mexico Sheriff’s Association and am proud to serve in that position for New Mexico. Of course, the last four years of serving as the Quay County Sheriff has been the best experience of all. I feel confident in what I have learned, and the progress that the Quay County Sheriff’s Office has made in the last four years. I am ready to build on this experience and progress to continue to better this office for the citizens of Quay County.

Gonzales: I'm not just a law-enforcement officer; I am involved in our community. I have been a volunteer firefighter for District One for the last four years. I have coached youth soccer, baseball and basketball. I assist coaching for youth football. I'm an active member in Quay County 4-H, and I'm certified to instruct archery to 4-Hers. I have participated in the annual Parade of Lights for several years. I received the Wreath of Valor for entering a house on fire along with two other officers and evacuating occupants safely. I also have the support of my family. My wife, Isabel, and both my boys, Antonio and Brandon, volunteer in our community. We own a small farm in Quay County; we have five properties in Tucumcari and four are rented. We hold a haunted house at one of our properties, which we have donated to the Class of 2020 to use as a fundraiser. I want to see Quay County grow and the youth become involved in our community.